ICTs and Teenage Students. Problematic Usage or Dependence

The objective of this work is to determine the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) and the reasons for their use among young people aged between 12 and 21, as well as the perception of dependency. An initial study was conducted based on a questionnaire prepared for that purpose. It was administered to a stratified cluster sample of 2,063 students aged between 12 and 21 years old, attending 27 centers of education in Burgos (Spain), and had a confidence level of over 95.5% and an error margin of ± 2.11%. Two longitudinal random follow up questionnaires were administered to samples of 96 and 88 students, respectively. The results, of a descriptive nature, allow us to observe a high degree of penetration and use of ICTs. Although the majority of users have a balanced relation with ICTs, the lengthy periods of time that some users spend on them may be highlighted. The average age for the first mobile phone is at 11 years old and between 80%-100% of adolescents have one between 11 and 16 years of age. Differences were detected in the use and the perception of abuse according to gender. Although the results show no evidence of alarming attitudes, ICTs are a valuable resource, although not free from risk. The need is noted to encourage protective measures, which favor the self-development of individuals, orientated toward healthy lifestyles, which in turn act as moderators of risk factors; as well as normalizing the use of such devices.