Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

07:15
Social Defeat Stress Model for Adolescent C57BL/6 Male and Female Mice
Published on: March 15, 2024
[The effects of computer-use on adolescents]
C Stefănescu1, Gabriela Chele, V Chiriţă
1Facultatea de Medicină, Universitatea de Medicină si Farmacie "Gr. T. Popa", Iaşi.
Summary
This study on computer use in adolescents found that while many parents see benefits, nearly half believe it can be harmful. A small percentage of children exhibit pathological computer use, highlighting potential risks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Adolescent Health
- Digital Media Studies
Context:
- Growing reliance on computers by children and adolescents.
- Increasing need to understand the health impacts of digital device usage.
- Limited research on the specific effects of computer use on young users' well-being.
Purpose:
- To investigate computer usage patterns among children and adolescents.
- To explore the perceived beneficial and detrimental effects of computer use on mental and physical health.
- To identify instances of pathological computer use in this demographic.
Summary:
- A study surveyed 69 adolescents (13-18 years) and their parents regarding computer habits and health perceptions.
- Statistical analysis using SPSS revealed usage patterns, with 4% exceeding five hours daily.
- Results indicated parental division on computer use effects: 41% favorable, 49% concerned about harm. Pathological use was identified in 1.4% of adolescents.
Impact:
- Provides insights into adolescent computer habits and associated parental concerns.
- Highlights the prevalence of potentially harmful computer usage patterns in young people.
- Informs parents, educators, and healthcare providers about the dual nature of computer use in child development.
Related Concept Videos
Bullying
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying.
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...
Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are themselves.
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication
Since the early 2000s, computer-mediated communication (CMC) has grown rapidly, playing a crucial role in self-development. A key distinction between CMC and real-life interactions is the lack of a physically present partner. This absence makes non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and paralinguistic signals unavailable in CMC platforms like email, instant messaging, or social media. The lack of these cues can create ambiguity and complicate how feedback is interpreted.The...
Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...

