Social Psychology and Society
2025. Vol. 16, no. 2, 78–95
doi:10.17759/sps.2025160206
ISSN: 2221-1527 / 2311-7052 (online)
Digital media preferences in late adolescence: challenges of online engagement and the importance of social support
Abstract
Context and relevance. The digital socialization of contemporary adolescents is a subject of considerable study interest owing to the profound integration of Internet technology into daily life. The relevance is due to the insufficient study of the links between preferred content, problems arising from the active use of the Internet and social networks, and the role of social support.
Objective. To determine the links between digital content and emerging problems in adolescents, as well as to identify the contribution of social support to reducing problems arising from online activity.
Methods and materials. The research involved a sample of 1239 Russian adolescents (42,7% male) aged 15–17 years from various areas of the Russian Federation. Questionnaires on digital parental mediation, peer perception, and social media usage were employed to evaluate favored themes in Internet and social network usage, as well as the severity of issues related to digital activity. Correlation, regression, and comparative analysis were employed.
Results. A hierarchy of content choices among teenagers was identified: entertainment content (humor, trends) is predominant, succeeded by instructional resources and sports. Girls show greater interest in educational and infotainment content but report greater severity of problems arising from digital activity. Parental and peer support mitigates the adverse consequences of online engagement, whereas parental control exacerbates issues.
Conclusions. The prevalence of entertainment material correlates with the severity of issues. The quality of peer interactions is more significant than parental mediation in mitigating the adverse impacts of internet use. Peer assistance mitigates compensating Internet usage. Parental assistance is more efficacious than control in mitigating issues.
General Information
Keywords: socialization, teenagers, social support, parental mediation, social networks, content
Journal rubric: Empirical Research
Article type: scientific article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2025160206
Funding. The study was supported by The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, project FNRE-2024-0016 (Psychological effects of digitalization of the educational environment: opportunities for cognitive and personal development and risks of socialization).
Received 15.04.2025
Accepted
Published
For citation: Kornienko, D.S., Rudnova, N.A., Smirnova, Y.K., Kalimullin, A.M., Semenov, Y.I. (2025). Digital media preferences in late adolescence: challenges of online engagement and the importance of social support. Social Psychology and Society, 16(2), 78–95. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2025160206
© Kornienko D.S., Rudnova N.A., Smirnova Y.K., Kalimullin A.M., Semenov Y.I., 2025
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
References
- Бочавер, А.А., Докука, С.В., Сивак, Е.В., Смирнов, И.Б. (2019). Использование социальных сетей в интернете и депрессивная симптоматика у подростков. Клиническая и специальная психология, 8(3), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.17759/psyclin.2019080301
Bochaver, A.A., Dokuka, S.V., Sivak, E.V., Smirnov, I.B. (2019). Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: a Review. Clinical Psychology and Special Education, 8(3), 1–18. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/psyclin.2019080301 - Волкова, Е.Н., Сорокоумова, Г.В. (2024). Психологические критерии благополучия современных подростков в контексте изучения цифровой социализации. Социальная психология и общество, 15(2), 12–27. https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2024150202
Volkova, E.N., Sorokoumova, G.V. (2024). Psychological criteria of adolescent well-being in the context of digital socialization. Social Psychology and Society, 15(2), 12–27. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2024150202 - Герасимова, А.А., Холмогорова, А.Б. (2018). Общая шкала проблемного использования интернета: апробация и валидизация в российской выборке третьей версии опросника. Консультативная психология и психотерапия, 26(3), 56–79. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2018260304
Gerasimova, A.A., Kholmogorova, A.B. (2018). Еhe generalized problematic internet use scale 3 modified version: approbation and validation on the russian sample. Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, 26(3), 56–79. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/17759/cpp.2018260304 - Гречаный, С.В., Егоров, А.Ю., Солдаткин, В.А., Яковлев, А.Н., Илюк, Р.Д., Шмуклер, А.Б. (2020). Интернет-аддикция у молодых взрослых: формы онлайн-активности, половые различия, коморбидные психические и наркологические расстройства. Вопросы наркологии, 4, 78–102. https://doi.org/10.47877/0234-0623_2020_4_78.
Grechanyi, S.V., Egorov, A.Yu., Soldatkin, V.A., Yakovlev, A.N., Ilyuk, R.D., Shmukler, A.B. (2020). Internet addiction in young adults: types of online activities, genderdifferences, comorbid mental and substance use disorders. Narcology Issues, 4, 78–102. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.47877/0234-0623_2020_4_78. - Казаринова, Е.Ю., Холмогорова, А.Б. (2021). Предпочитаемый контент в интернете и социальная тревожность как факторы интернет-зависимости у подростков и студенческой молодежи. Психолого-педагогические исследования, 13(2), 123–139. https://doi.org/10.17759/psyedu.2021130208
Kazarinova, E.Yu., Kholmogorova, A.B. (2021). Preferred internet content and social anxiety - as drivers of internet addiction in teens and students. Psychological-Educational Studies, 13(2), 123–139. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/psyedu.2021130208
- Канашов, А.Е., Трусова, А.В. (2021). Роль факторов семейного воспитания в формировании интернет-зависимого поведения у подростков. Национальный психологический журнал, 2(42), 76–87. https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2021.0207
Kanashov, A.E., Trusova, A.V. (2021). The role of family relationships in Internet addiction in adolescents. National Psychological Journal, 2(42), 76–87. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2021.0207 - Кондратьев, М.Ю., Емельянова, Е.В. (2011). Социально-психологические особенности взаимосвязи самооценки и личностно-ролевой взаимопредставленности студентов. Социальная психология и общество, 1, 56–72.
Kondratyev, M.Yu., Emelyanova, E.V. (2011). Socio-psychological peculiarities in correlation of self-appraisal and personal-role representations in students. Social Psychology and Society, 1, 56–72. (In Russ.). - Кондратьев, М.Ю., Ковалева, В.В. (2010). Особенности интрагруппового структурирования и межличностных отношений в десятых классах общеобразовательной школы, претерпевших композиционные изменения разной степени интенсивности. Социальная психология и общество, 1, 106–123.
Kondratyev, M.Yu., Kovaleva, V.V. (2010). Peculiarities of intragroup structuring and interpersonal relationships in tenth grades of secondary schools that underwent compositional changes of different intensity. Social Psychology and Society, 1, 106–123. (In Russ.). - Кондратьев, М.Ю., Лисицына, А.А. (2012). Особенности интрагруппового структурирования классов в начальной школе и на рубеже начальной и средней школы. Социальная психология и общество, 2, 21–40.
Kondratyev, M.Yu., Lisitsyna, A.A. (2012). Specifics of class intragroup structuring in primary school and on the boundary between primary and secondary school. Social Psychology and Society, 2, 21–40. (In Russ.). - Кондратьев, М.Ю., Любимова, О.А. (2011). Особенности интрагруппового структурирования и межличностного восприятия в реальных контактных и виртуальных группах волонтеров. Социальная психология и общество, 4, 71–86.
Kondratyev, M.Yu., Lyubimova, O.A. (2011). Intragroup structuring and interpersonal perception in real contact and virtual volunteer groups. Social Psychology and Society, 4, 71–86. (In Russ.). - Корниенко, Д.С., Руднова, Н.А. (2024). Фальшивая самопрезентация подростков в социальных сетях: связь с характеристиками использования социальных сетей и одиночеством. Социальная психология и общество, 15(2), 47-64. https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2024150204
Kornienko, D.S., Rudnova, N.A. (2024). Adolescents’ false self-presentation in online social networks: relationship with social media use, motives, and loneliness. Social Psychology and Society, 15(2), 47-64. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2024150204 - Корниенко, Д.С., Дериш, Ф.В., Никитина, Е.Ю. (2021). Половые и возрастные различия личностной направленности пользовательской активности в социальной сети "ВКонтакте". Вестник Российского университета дружбы народов. Серия: Психология и педагогика, 18(3), 631-649. https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-1683-2021-18-3-631-649
Kornienko, D.S., Derish, F.V., Nikitina, E.Yu. (2021). Sex and age differences in the per-sonal orientation of user activity in the Russian social network “VKontakte”. RUDN Journal of Psychology and Pedagogics, 18(3), 631-649. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-1683-2021-18-3-631-649 - Корниенко, Д.С., Руднова, Н.А., Гордеева, Т.О., Сычев О.А., Егоров В.А., Веракса А.Н. (2023). Одиночество и социальная поддержка как характеристики социального здоровья и факторы зависимости от социальных сетей у подростков. Социальная психология и общество, 14(2), 28-48. https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2023140203
Kornienko, D.S., Rudnova, N.A., Gordeeva, T.O., Sychev O.А., Egorov V.A., Veraksa A.N. (2023). Loneliness and social support as characteristics of social health and factors of social media addiction among adolescents. Social Psychology and Society, 14(2), 28-48. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2023140203 - Микляева, А.В., Николаева, Е.И., Сутормина, Н.В., Панферов, В.Н. (2022). Психофизиологические и психологические особенности подростков, связанные с эффективным онлайн-поиском учебной информации. Теоретическая и экспериментальная психология, 15(4), 60-77. https://doi.org/10.24412/2073-0861-2022-4-60-76
Miklyaeva, A.V., Nikolaeva, E.I., Sutormina, N.V., Panferov, V.N. (2022). Psychophysiological and psychological characteristics of adolescents associated with effective online search for educational information. Theoretical and Experimental Psychology, 15(4), 60-77. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24412/2073-0861-2022-4-60-76 - Риппинен, Т.О., Слободская, Е.Р. (2014). Повседневное использование компьютера и благополучное развитие подростков. Теоретическая и экспериментальная психология, 7(1), 15-23.
Rippinen, T.O., Slobodskaya, E.R. (2014). Daily computer use and prosperous development of adolescents. Theoretical and Experimental Psychology, 7(1), 15-23. (In Russ.). - Руднова, Н.А., Корниенко, Д.С., Волкова, Е.Н., Исаева, О.М. (2023). Цифровая родительская медиация и ее связь с показателями психологического благополучия детей школьного возраста. Наука телевидения, 19(1), 175-198. https://doi.org/10.30628/1994-9529-2023-19.1-175-198
- Rudnova, N.A., Kornienko, D.S., Volkova, E.N., Isaeva, O.M. (2023). Parental digital mediation and its association with the psychological well-being in school-age children. The Art and Science of Television, 19(1), 175-198. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.30628/1994-9529-2023-19.1-175-198
- Семенова, Н.Б. (2022). Современные представления о роли социальных факторов в развитии интернет-зависимого поведения у детей и подростков (по материалам зарубежных исследований). Социальная психология и общество, 13(1), 22-32. https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2022130102
Semenova, N.B. (2022). Advanced concepts of the role of social factors in the development of internet addiction behavior in children and adolescents (based on foreign studies). Social Psychology and Society, 13(1), 22-32. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2022130102 - Солдатова, Г.У., Львова, Е.Н. (2018). Особенности родительской медиации в ситуациях столкновения подростков с онлайн-рисками. Психологическая наука и образование, 23(3), 29-41. https://doi.org/10.17759/pse.2018230303
Soldatova, G.U., Lvova, E.N. (2018). Adolescents encountering online risks: characteristics of parental mediation. Psychological Science and Education, 23(3), 29-41. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/pse.2018230303 - Солдатова, Г.У., Рассказова, Е.И. (2023). Цифровая социализация российских подростков: сквозь призму сравнения с подростками 18 европейских стран. Социальная психология и общество, 14(3), 11-30. https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2023140302
Soldatova, G.U., Rasskazova, E.I. (2023). Digital socialization of russian adolescents: through the prism of comparison with adolescents in 18 european countries. Social Psychology and Society, 14(3), 11-30. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2023140302 - Сысоева, Т.А., Ярошевская, С.В. (2022). Что дети делают онлайн? Анализ исследований цифровых практик современных подростков. Вестник Московского университета. Серия 14: Психология, 2, 153-173. https://doi.org/10.11621/vsp.2022.02.07
Sysoeva, T.A., Yaroshevskaya, S.V. (2022). What are kids doing online? evidence from studies on adolescents’ digital practices. Moscow University Psychology Bulletin, 2, 153-173. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.11621/vsp.2022.02.07 - Шайгерова, Л.А., Шилко, Р.С., Ваханцева, О.В. (2022). Культурное опосредование идентичности цифрового поколения: перспективы анализа интернет-активности и социальных медиа. Вестник Московского университета. Серия 14: Психология, 2, 73-107. https://doi.org/10.11621/vsp.2022.02.04
Shaigerova, L.A., Shilko, R.S., Vakhantseva, O.V. (2022). Cultural mediation of the identity of the digital generation: perspectives on the analysis of internet activity and social media. Moscow University Psychology Bulletin, 2, 73-107. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.11621/vsp.2022.02.04 - Ярошевская, С. В., & Сысоева, Т. А. (2023). Смартфоны в школьной повседневности подростков: исследование при помощи включенного наблюдения. Национальный психологический журнал, 18(4), 177–187. https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2023.0415
Yaroshevskaya, S. V., & Sysoeva, T. A. (2023). Smartphones in everyday school life of adolescents: Participant observation study. National Psychological Journal, 18(4), 177–187. https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2023.0415 (In Russ.). - Aragay, N., Vallès, V., Ramos-Grille, I., Garrido, G., Grimalt, E. G., Miranda Ruiz, E., & Jovell-Fernández, E. (2023). Differences in screen addiction in the past 15 years. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21 (1), 1.
- de Ávila, G. B., Dos Santos, É. N., Jansen, K., & Barros, F. C. (2020). Internet addiction in students from an educational institution in Southern Brazil: Prevalence and associated factors. Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 42, 302–310.
- Fardouly, J., Magson, N. R., Johnco, C. J., Oar, E. L., & Rapee, R. M. (2018). Parental control of the time preadolescents spend on social media: Links with preadolescents’ social media appearance comparisons and mental health. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(7), 1456–1468. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0870-1
- Fasihi M., Rostami M. (2023). Th e Relationship of Mobile-Based Social Network Addiction and Family Communication Patterns, with Behavioral Problems in Secondary School Students: Th e Mediating Role of Emotional Self-Regulation. Psychology in Russia: State of the Art, 16(4), 55–71. https://doi.org/10.11621/pir.2023.0404
- Larin, I.A., Sadovnikova, T.Yu. (2024). The Needs of Adolescents to Communicate with Their Parents in Online and Offline Formats: The Creation and Validation of a Questionnaire, Psychology in Russia: State of the Art, 17(1), 24–44. https://doi.org/10.11621/pir.2024.0102
- Lin, S., Yu, C., Chen, J., Sheng, J., Hu, Y., & Zhong, L. (2020). The association between parental psychological control, deviant peer affiliation, and internet gaming disorder among Chinese adolescents: A two-year longitudinal study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 8197.
- Przybylski, A. K., & Weinstein, N. (2017). A large-scale test of the Goldilocks hypothesis: Quantifying the relations between digital-screen use and the mental well-being of adolescents. Psychological Science, 28(2), 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797616678438
- Rudnova, N. A., Kornienko, D. S., Semenov, Yu. A., & Egorov, V. K. (2023). Characteristics of parental digital mediation: Predictors, strategies, and differences among children experiencing various parental mediation strategies. Education Sciences, 13 (1), 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13010057
- Salmivalli, C., Ojanen, T., Haanpää, J., & Peets, K. (2005). "I'm OK but you're not" and other peer-relational schemas: Explaining individual differences in children's social goals. Developmental Psychology, 41(2), 363.
- Santos, R. M. S., Mendes, C. G., Sen Bressani, G. Y., de Almeida, R. N. M., de Oliveira, L. R., & Nardi, A. E. (2023). The associations between screen time and mental health in adolescents: A systematic review. BMC Psychology, 11, 127. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01166-7
- The jamovi project. (2022). *jamovi* (Version 2.3) [Computer software]. https://www.jamovi.org
- Torralbas Oslé, J. E., & Corcho Rosales, E. (2023). Personal exposure to social media and variations by gender among Cuban youth. Psychology in Russia: State of the Art, 16 (4), 72–89. https://doi.org/10.11621/pir.2023.0405
Information About the Authors
Metrics
Web Views
Whole time: 53
Previous month: 0
Current month: 53
PDF Downloads
Whole time: 15
Previous month: 0
Current month: 15
Total
Whole time: 68
Previous month: 0
Current month: 68