Promoting Digital Resilience in Adolescence

Phase 1 of this project will investigate the impact on online risk intention of information presentation (gist/verbatim, counterfactual/factual), perceived benefits vs. risks and anticipated emotions. Phase 2 will apply these findings to an existing e-safety initiative: Warning Zone in Leicester, an interactive centre teaching early adolescents about everyday risks. We will vary the presentation of e-safety information, presenting information in a gist or verbatim way, and encouraging young people to anticipate regret or relief in response to risky scenarios. We will record behavioural risk intention immediately afterward and at a 3- month follow-up to tap into lasting behavioural change.

Our experimental approach complements the existing survey data and has the potential to make a substantial real-world impact in ensuring extant and future e-safety resources and initiatives are age-appropriate and effective in promoting digital resilience.