Typology of young people in digital environments: identifying vulnerability patterns

Abstract

Young people have naturally transferred a large part of their daily activities to the digital environment, a space that contributes to the construction of their identity and personal maturity. Despite the intensive use that young people make of the Internet and social networks, they are not aware of the dangers that can be found on the network, which makes them a vulnerable audience that must be protected. To improve their knowledge of these issues, it is important to address young people with an understanding of their specific characteristics. The aim of this study is to identify a typology of young people according to sociodemographic criteria, behaviors, selfperception of risk and self-protection mechanisms used in the digital context, to determine their level of vulnerability in this environment. For this purpose, a quantitative study is carried out through an online survey of a representative sample of 300 Spanish young people between 14 and 16 years old. The results of the research locate four segments of young users: “cautious connected” (50.3 %), “regular and exposed in social networks” (25.8 %), “sporadic beginners” (12.1 %), “active in shopping and digital entertainment” (11.8 %)". The findings show that age, frequency of use of social networks and the Internet, the number and type of applications used, and the perception of online risks, discriminate the digital vulnerability of young people and influence their maturity and the self-protection mechanisms they use.