Sonia Livingstone|Ellen Helsper
Balancing opportunities and risks in teenagers’ use of the internet: the role of online skills and internet self-efficacy
London School of Economics and Political Science|London School of Economics and Political Science
many hopes exist regarding opportunities internet offer young people well fears risks may bring informed research media literacy article examines role selected measures internet literacy relation teenagers online experiences data national survey teenagers uk n 789 analyzed examine first demographic factors influence skills using internet second main focus study ask whether skills make difference online opportunities online risks consistent research digital divide path analysis showed direct influence age socioeconomic status young peoples access direct influence age access use online opportunities direct influence gender online risks importance online skills evident insofar online access use skills found mediate relations demographic variables young peoples experience online opportunities risks unexpected positive relationship online opportunities risks found implications policy interventions aimed reducing risks internet use