Elisabeth Staksrud|Kjartan Ólafsson|Sonia Livingstone
Does the use of social networking sites increase children’s risk of harm?
University of Oslo|University of Akureyri|London School of Economics and Political Science
although research findings equivocal whether use social networking sites snss increases experiences online risk among children affordances sns lend support possibility attracting much policy public concern present article examines whether use services increases risks children young people encounter analyzing data random stratified sample approximately 1000 internetusing children aged 916 years 25 european countries four hypotheses formulated tested first hypothesis namely children use social networking sites encounter risks online supported data second hypothesis stated sns users digital competence encounter online risk less competence also supported despite counter common assumptions thirdly hypothesized sns users risky sns practices eg public profile displaying identifying information large number contacts encounter online risk fewer risky practices supported data thus matters risk sns used useful point awarenessraising initiatives fourth hypothesis stated sns users digital competence using internet experience less harm associated online risk data support hypothesis since digital competence reduce probability children saying bothered upset something internet finally study found although predicted whether risks experienced harmful depends specific relation risks platforms website instant messaging gaming social networking call future research explore particular affordances sustain particular communicative conditions turn responded differently children research policy implications findings discussed