Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences: Teenagers in Social Networks: Patterns of Usage and Aggressiveness

Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences / Teenagers in Social Networks: Patterns of Usage and Aggressiveness

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Issue: Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences. 2019 12 (9)
Authors: Sobkin, Vladimir S.; Fedotova, Aleksandra V.
Contact information: Sobkin, Vladimir S.: Center for Sociology of Education “Institute of Education Management of the Russian Academy of Education” 16 Zhukovskogo Str., Moscow, 105062, Russia; ; Fedotova, Aleksandra V.: Center for Sociology of Education “Institute of Education Management of the Russian Academy of Education” 16 Zhukovskogo Str., Moscow, 105062, Russia
Keywords: social networks; adolescence; gender specifics; social status; self-presentation on the Internet; aggression; cyberbullying; active usage of social networks
Abstract: The article is devoted to the study of the patterns of network interaction as regards teenagers and their attitude to the aggressive behaviour in social networks. The article is based on data obtained by specialists of the Center for Sociology of Education of the Institute of Education Management of the Russian Academy of Education as a result of an anonymous survey of 2074 students from grades 5, 7, 9 and 11 of Moscow region schools. Methods of mathematical statistics were used for data processing. The analysis is aimed at identifying the influence of social, demographic and behavioural characteristics that determine the attitude of teenagers to aggression in social networks. It has been revealed that the leader’s position of a teenager in the class contributes to a greater participation of this teenager in network interaction, which is associated with their motivation to expand their social circle. The growth in the number of provocative statements in the network communication by the time of graduation indicates that the need for manipulation in social relations plays an important role in the process of network communication at this age. It has been proved that while growing up teenagers start to change the attitude to aggression; the share of high school students who negatively perceive aggression scenes decreases; active users are more likely to show a positive attitude towards aggression scenes, which evidences their “getting used to” the aggressive style of communication on the Internet. Teenagers focused on attracting the attention of others (those who consider their accounts “provocative”, “expansive” or “extraordinary”) are more likely to enjoy watching violent scenes than the owners of “ordinary” accounts. Personal experience of participating in aggressive situations either in the role of an “aggressor” or a “victim” facilitates their acceptance of aggression. The data presented allow us to conclude that the most significant factors for the creation of the teenagers’ attitude to expression of aggression in social networks are their gender, age, frequency of use of social networks, self-presentation on the Internet, social status in the class, estimation of their future success
Pages: 1733–1752
DOI: 10.17516/1997–1370–0480
Paper at repository of SibFU: https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/125585

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