Use of social networks in children and adolescents in Mexico

Abstract

The use of the internet and in particular social networks have altered social interaction, even increased with COVID-19. In the case of children and adolescents, considered early users, they have remained exposed to negative virtual environments. The purpose of this study is to identify the knowledge that children and adolescents have about the implications in the use of social networks to reduce the risk of sexual harassment online, in the face of the pedophilic deception known as grooming. A survey was applied to 251 boys, girls and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 14, who are in the fifth and sixth year of primary school in four public educational centers in the municipality of Zapopan, Jalisco-Mexico. It is evident that the students are unaware of the term grooming; however, 8.76% have been exposed to a situation of online sexual harassment; boys 10.86%, while girls 6.19%. Girls show greater vigilance in the use of the Internet and social networks (26.79%), compared to boys with 15.94%. It is concluded that the prevalence of risk in the school zone analyzed is strictly linked to the plans of the educational centers and in the training of teachers, parents and the community