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Unwanted Online Attentions Among an Italian Students Sample

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Abstract

The use of the Internet and new technologies now seems to permeate the entire society, affecting every aspect of daily life. Although this change is characterized by undeniable positive aspects, it simultaneously bears a number of risks which are higher especially with respect to the growing number of younger users. In fact, young people, as the most involved in cyber space, are an age group most exposed to the dangers of improper and not aware use of electronic tools. The specific aim of this research was to study unwanted online attentions (UOA) among a sample of Italian students (N = 585, mean age = 14.5), identifying UOA as all those behaviors carried out through the Internet and technology to annoy, disturb, offend, humiliate, intimidate, threat, harass, harm or attack others. The online questionnaire investigated the online habits of the students, the presence of UOA and the characteristics of victims and perpetrators, the perception and emotional impact of such conducts, and the victims' possible reactions. The findings offer an estimate of the prevalence of these behaviors in the population of this age group in the area considered. More importantly, the results reveal a very high involvement in technology by the students accompanied by a lack of awareness regarding the risks connected to technology use as well as a low perception of UOA. These results give evidence of the needs in terms of prevention and education instruments in order to improve the system of responses to cybervictimization among young people.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by a grant from a Local Bank Foundation (FCRMO). The authors acknowledge all the researchers who participated to the survey, Engineering Department of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia for the development of the electronic version of the questionnaire, Cinzia Del Giovane for her assistance with statistic analysis, and Amanda Krause for stylistic and language revision.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Law, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via San Geminiano 3, 41121, Modena, Italy

    Laura De Fazio & Chiara Sgarbi

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  1. Laura De Fazio
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  2. Chiara Sgarbi
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Correspondence to Laura De Fazio.

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De Fazio, L., Sgarbi, C. Unwanted Online Attentions Among an Italian Students Sample. Eur J Crim Policy Res 22, 219–234 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10610-015-9296-4

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