ICT use during adolescence is now commonplace. Its power of attraction and the vulnerable condition of adolescents are giving rise to growing concern, aggravated by the imminent consequences of such synergy. In order to deepen understanding of this relationship, the following research objectives were formulated: a) Analyze the frequency of ICT use; b) Examine family supervision; c) Identify stress associated with the use of ICTs; d) Establish profiles of ICT use. The sample consisted of 1,101 adolescents of 10 educational centers in Southeastern Spain. A descriptive analysis was performed and contingency tables, Chi Square, Cramer V, hierarchical cluster analysis and one-factor ANOVA were used. The results show that more than 60% of adolescents use ICTs without supervision and that 1 out of 3 feel stressed in the absence of the Internet. In addition, statistically significant relationships were found between the frequency of ICT use and stress, as well as with family supervision. A solution of three groups or profiles of use was obtained. 45% of the subjects display maladaptive use or signs of it. The study concludes by stressing that the relationship between adolescents and ICTs is far from ideal and warns of the urgent need to train adolescents and parents in the responsible use of ICTs. El uso de las TIC durante la adolescencia es un hecho normalizado en la actualidad. Su poder de atracción y la condición de vulnerabilidad de los púberes están suscitando una creciente preocupación, agravada por las consecuencias inminentes de tal sinergia. Con la finalidad de profundizar en esta relación, se formulan los siguientes objetivos de investigación: a) Analizar la frecuencia de uso de las TIC; b) Examinar la supervisión familiar; c) Identificar estrés asociado al uso de las TIC; d) Establecer perfiles de uso de las TIC. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 1.101 adolescentes de 10 centros educativos del Sureste Español. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y se emplearon tablas de contingencia, Chi Cuadrado, V de Cramer, análisis de clúster jerárquico y ANOVA de un factor. Los resultados arrojan que más del 60% de los adolescentes usa las TIC sin supervisión y que uno de cada tres se siente estresado ante la ausencia de Internet. Además, se encontraron relaciones estadísticamente significativas entre la frecuencia de uso de las TIC y el estrés, así como con la supervisión familiar. Se obtuvo una solución de tres grupos o perfiles de uso. El 45% de los sujetos tiene un uso desadaptado o indicios del mismo. Se concluye subrayando que la relación entre adolescentes y TIC dista mucho de la deseada y se alerta de la imperiosa necesidad de formar a adolescentes y a progenitores en el uso responsable de las TIC.

El uso de las redes sociales entre los adolescentes está derivando en problemas relacionales, psicológicos yde salud. Varios estudios han constatado el impacto del uso de redes sociales en distintas áreas de la vida delos jóvenes. Este trabajo analiza cómo afecta el uso de la red social Instagram a la autoimagen corporal delos adolescentes con tres objetivos: (a) describir comportamientos relacionados con la autoimagen corporalde los adolescentes, (b) estudiar la influencia del sexo y la edad en la autoimagen corporal de losadolescentes y (c) establecer relaciones entre el uso problemático de redes sociales y la (auto)imagencorporal. Se usó un diseño transversal con una muestra compuesta por 95 adolescentes. Los resultadosindican que el uso de redes sociales influye en la relación con el cuerpo y la autoimagen y que el número dehoras diarias invertidas en redes sociales, así como la supervisión familiar, son variables que influyen en laimagen corporal de los adolescentes. Se discuten las implicaciones educativas.

Background: The video game industry has introduced a new form of monetization through microtransactions. A controversial example has been the so-called “loot boxes” (LBs) as virtual objects, which are randomized and bought with legal money. In recent years, LBs have come to connect 2 distinct problem behaviors, namely internet gaming disorder (IGD) and online gambling disorder (OGD). Many association studies have been conducted on the 3 constructs, but few have delved into the relationship of problematic use of LBs (PU-LB) with IGD and OGD. Objective: This study aims to explore the mediating role of the PU-LB between IGD and OGD. Methods: This cross-sectional and analytical study used incidental sampling in 24 Spanish schools. The final sample consisted of 542 participants (male: n=523, 96.5%; age: range 11‐30 y) who played video games, bought LBs, and had gambled online in the last 12 months. Participants then completed the Spanish versions of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form, Online Gambling Disorder Questionnaire, and PU-LB scale. Results: IGD scores were found to be significantly associated with both PU-LB (r=0.473, P<.001) and OGD (r=0.209, P<.001). Moreover, PU-LB was significantly associated with OGD (r=0.351, P<.001). The structural equation model results indicated that IGD had no significant direct effect on OGD (P=.903). However, the indirect effect of IGD on OGD through PU-LB was significant (P<.001). Therefore, PU-LB fully mediated the relationship between IGD and OGD. Furthermore, these results were found in the subsamples of both minors (<18 y) and young adults (≥18 y). Conclusions: It is suggested that there is a mediation effect of problematic LB use between internet gambling and online gambling problems in both minors and young adults. This has potential practical implications by providing more evidence on how LBs have become a hinge feature between 2 clinically relevant and independent issues. In this regard, adequate industry self-regulation is needed, and effective legislation for the protection of minors is necessary.

Today, the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is part of the daily lives of adolescents. However, its widespread use in all areas, the vulnerable condition of adolescents and the imminent consequences of problematic use are awakening a growing social and educational concern. With the purpose of looking into this problem, the following research aims are formulated: (1) Analyse the perception of adolescents about their academic performance and the interference of ICT in their development; (2) Describe the frequency of use of ICT and its influence on study time and grades; and (3) Analyse the relationship between family supervision of ICT and academic performance. The representative sample consisted of 1101 adolescents from 10 educational centers in the Southeast of Spain. Descriptive statistics, contingency tables, Chi Square, Cramer’s V and Linear Regression were calculated. The results show that more than 50% of the students believe that they would spend more time studying if they did not have continuous access to technologies. Likewise, 20% of the students identify ICT as responsible for the decline in their academic performance. Statistically significant relationships were found between time limitations for Internet access and academic performance. It is therefore concluded that the problematic use of ICT in adolescence is a phenomenon that demands intervention, and the training of parents and adolescents in the responsible use of ICT is urged.