Young people spend 7 to 12 hours connected to the Internet

Public groups on WhatsApp or Facebook and gaming websites are the places where young Panamanians are most exposed to risky situations, specifically where they contact or encourage encounters with unknown people.

On average, young people stay online from 7 to 12 hours a day, according to a quantitative report called: “Together for a Safer Internet” conducted by Millicon-Tigo and Ipsos Panama. Free time is the main motivation for using the Internet. About 5 out of 10 say they are upset about not being able to connect.

The report, which provided worrying data on the exposure and risks of minors to new technologies and digital platforms, was the result of a sample that included about 3,112 students aged 13 to 18 of both sexes from public schools. level, which is applied in the last quarter of 2022.

Among the main activities carried out on the Internet are searching for information, then connecting to instant messages, using social networks and listening, watching or downloading music, videos or movies.

On average, students confirm a stay of 5 to more than 7 hours, mostly in WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Likewise, between 8% and 12% of those surveyed also admit to using other social networks such as Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, Onlyfans and Tinder.

However, sailing time is the least of the study’s concerns. Although 87% of respondents state that they use social networks mainly to chat with acquaintances, friends and family, 37% admit that they also use them to meet new people, to share content such as memes, videos, news, etc., in public groups where you don’t know all the people or you are just getting to know them. Also make a video call with the people you meet.

Despite the risks of unsupervised browsing of digital platforms and social networks, 3 out of 10 young people consulted by Ipsos Panama They stated that they have no supervision when using the Internet; nevertheless, 6 out of 10 indicate that their parents know what they are doing online.

Meanwhile, 60% of young people did not receive information on how to prevent or act in any kind of unpleasant situation on the Internet. Between 5% and 12% of young people said that once or twice a week they were exposed to delicate situations, in most cases chats, contents, posts with racist or offensive comments towards a person because of their beliefs, race or preferences.

Many of these young people reported receiving requests for private and family information from strangers; in the Appendix, have been exposed to pornographic content that promotes eating disorders, suicide, self-harm or how to consume illicit substances.

The percentage of students admits that they came into contact with or were harassed by adults older than their age or by people of the same age. Only 34%, mostly women aged 17 to 18, told someone about the situation and got help, while 12% did not tell anyone. On the other hand, 51%, mostly males aged 15 to 16, said they had no unpleasant or unpleasant experiences.

Students also revealed their experiences during arranged meetings with unknown people, via digital platforms. 22%, mostly women, admitted that another person said offensive things to them, 18% stated that the person did not turn out to be the person they thought they were talking to, 15% stated that they received sexual offers or were sexually harassed , and 6% stated that another person physically hurt them.

Another face
For former Minister of Education Miguel Ángel Cañizales, the time has come in Panama to start talking about digital intelligence, where the proper use of technological tools is promoted in the student population.

“Students do not know how to use technological tools for educational purposes. We have to be a guide,” says the professor.

While part of the Panamanian youth access the Internet in their free time, a large part of the population does not have this convenience of access to education.

The education system is not the same as the traditional one and it is unfortunate that Panama does not have optical fibers in the service of education when the country exports and sells the service to the world, Cañizales points out.

He argues that Panama cannot enter digital transformation with the existing digital divide. Free internet sites are located in shopping centers and in privileged areas, not in schools, libraries, municipalities and other sectors that provide tools to the most vulnerable population, he believes.