Do you believe that impressionable youths are more inclined to behave in a certain way because of what they’ve seen on television, video games, or the Internet? Are young people who have virtually unlimited Internet use growing up in the 21st century any more susceptible to succumbing to potentially dangerous activities than other generations that grew up with books, board games, magazines, radios, telephones, or Ouija boards? A research team at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario believes that it’s discovered a strong connection between Internet use to multiple risk behaviors (MRB) in youth such as drug use, drinking, unprotected sex, smoking, non-use of seat belts (sacre bleu!), and reckless banjo playing. (Okay. I made up that last one. But can you imagine? Think of the children!)

CC licensed Flickr photo shared by Roger Blackwell

So why does the Queen’s University research team arrive at the conclusion that Internet use is more of a bad influence over youth than, say, a Saturday afternoon marathon of watching Jackass I through III? The factors involved that make Internet use hold more sway toward risky behavior over developing youth than the other societal influences mentioned have a lot to do with the amount of average time consumed partaking in such activity: about four-and-a-half hours per day. Social cognitive theory holds that youth seeing risky behavior reinforced over and over and over again is likely to adopt that behavior, as well. (Monkey see, monkey do?) Even risk-loving youth who absolutely love the Jackass trilogy probably don’t watch it every single day after school — and if they do, I would be more suspicious of the parents who would allow them to do so!

In addition, there’s the often sticky subject of censorship and its overall effectiveness when you mix Internet use and youth. Says research team leader Valerie Carson: “TV and video games have more established protocols in terms of censorship, but Internet protocols aren’t as established. Parents can make use of programs that control access to the Internet, but adolescents in this age group are quite savvy about technology and the Internet. It’s possible that these types of controls aren’t effective in blocking all undesirable Web sites.”

The Queen’s University team’s research has recently been published in the Journal of Preventative Medicine.

So how do you feel about these findings? Is Internet use among youth a legitimate concern for the preservation of society as we know it? Or is this yet another load of poppycock advanced upon us by nosy busybodies who believe that no good can come of fun?