Harmful Online Content and Cross-Cultural Challenges Faced by Adolescents: Findings from Focus Groups Conducted in Brazil and Australia

EasyChair Preprint 14718

Abstract

The internet has transformed social interactions and significantly affected the social and psychological development of children and adolescents. Researchers are increasingly concerned about the impact of excessive internet use, especially when coupled with harmful behaviors and poor supervision. Unregulated content, including sexual material, misleading health advice, self-harm strategies, and drug-related content, poses serious risks to adolescents’ psychosocial development and safety.

Despite the need for supervision, there is a lack of evidence-based programs to guide parents and professionals in helping adolescents navigate harmful online content. Few cross-cultural studies have explored the concerns shared by adolescents and adults about internet use, particularly on newer platforms like TikTok and OnlyFans.

This ongoing study between Brazil and Australia presents findings from focus groups exploring adolescents’ concerns and experiences with harmful online content, along with the perspectives of parents, educators, and health professionals. It also assesses the effectiveness of current supervision strategies.

The study includes 100 participants: adolescents aged 12-18 from Brazil and Australia (n=50), and parents, educators, and health professionals (n=50). Separate focus groups will be held for adolescents and adults, using structured and semi-structured questions to explore online harm, experiences with harmful content, and adult supervision strategies. Data will be transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed, with two coders ensuring reliability.

The findings are expected to align with existing literature on online risks but provide fresh insights into newer platforms and current supervision strategies. The results will inform a support model for youth and adults, focusing on psychoeducation and digital citizenship, to better guide adolescents online.

Keyphrases: adolescents, digital citizenship, harmful content online, sexting, social media, violence

@booklet{EasyChair:14718,
  author    = {Alex Pessoa and Andrew Campbell and Brad Ridout},
  title     = {Harmful Online Content and Cross-Cultural Challenges Faced by Adolescents: Findings from Focus Groups Conducted in Brazil and Australia},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 14718},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2024}}