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born digital, digital

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Print8.1.14

A NEW STUDY published this week by Emily Weinstein,

Ed.M. 14, and Larsen professor of education Robert

Selman pinpoints specific digital stressors related to

adolescents experiences online. The Harvard Graduate

School of Education (HGSE) researchers analyzed 2,000

stories about digital dilemmas posted anonymously by

teens to the MTV website Over the Line, and found that

the digital stresses that teens typically

encounteredmainly texts, e-mails, and social

mediafell into one of six categories, including cyber-

bullying or being impersonated. The study, titled Digital

Stress: Adolescents Personal Accounts, was published online last month in the

journal New Media & Society.

Researchers sorted the stresses into two groups: Type 1 stressors include experiences

such as receiving a barrage of personal attacks, being impersonated, or being outed,

shamed, or humiliated publicly. Type 2 stressors involve a controlling boyfriend,

girlfriend, or friend constantly breaking into ones social-media accounts to read

digital communications with others; feeling smothered by the quantity of digital

communications from friends; and feeling pressure to reveal private information.

One example of a Type 2 stressor for adolescents, the researchers pointed out, is

sexting. Our analysis revealed that sexting nude photographs, for example, often

begins as a way to signal trust and commitment, Weinstein said in a press release.

However, the analysis of the anonymous teens personal accounts reveals how

surprised teens are when these expressions of connection so easily become public.

Since we began this new work a year ago, Weinstein said in the release, we have

been amazed at the desire on the part of parents as well as professionals to not only

have this information, but to understand its implications. Their study, the

Photograph by iStock

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researchers say, can be used by teens as well, and could lead to better interventions

and support for adolescents growing up in an increasingly digital world.

2 Comments

Philip Bond

Age has its benefits. Unsure how I would handle growing up in these times. Its a

tough world we create for our children, reducing the time they are allowed to be

children.

Bob Anderson

This sounds like a good start to an important inquiry. I wish the authors the best in

researching this fundamental phenomenon.

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