Hyperconnected Families and Digital Risks: Technology Use and Exposure to Digital Environments in Adolescents from Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

Currently, family dynamics unfold within a context of hyperconnectivity, where children and adolescents constantly interact across diverse digital environments. The objective of the study was to identify the frequency of technology use and analyze digital risks in adolescents from Cuenca, Ecuador. The research adopted a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, descriptive design. A total of 1,550 students aged 12 to 18 years (M = 15, SD = 2) from 16 educational institutions participated. The EU Kids Online survey (Garmendia et al., 2019), administered across 19 European and 4 Latin American countries, was used. Results demonstrate that the most frequently used technological devices among adolescents are mobile phones (91%) and computers (44%). Additionally, the frequency of device use during the school week was found to be approximately 5 or more hours daily, with a slight increase on weekends. Furthermore, the main digital risks to which adolescents are exposed include cyberbullying, which exhibited the highest prevalence and manifested in two modalities: victimization (37%) and perpetration (27%). Other relevant risks included exposure to sexual content (29%) and sexting in both its modalities: sent (11%) and received (18%). Results indicate that adolescents are highly susceptible to digital risks, making it crucial for parents, educators, and policymakers to adopt proactive measures aimed at mitigating risks and promoting comprehensive digital education that fosters the responsible and critical use of technology.