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Time is target for gen Z: increased time online during the pandemic and cyber victimization

Lisa H. Rosen (Division of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, USA)
Linda J. Rubin (Division of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, USA)
Savannah Dali (Division of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, USA)
Daisie M. Llanes (Division of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, USA)
Ahissa Lopez (Division of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, USA)
Ashton E. Romines (Division of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, USA)
Samantha A. Saunders (Division of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, USA)

Young Consumers

ISSN: 1747-3616

Article publication date: 7 March 2024

97

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered daily life for Gen Z. The purpose of this study was to examine parental perceptions of the pandemic’s effects on their children’s peer relationships. As children sought peer connection during the pandemic, technology usage soared. The second purpose of the current study was to assess how greater time on social media affected adjustment among Gen Z and whether this effect was mediated by experiences of cyber victimization.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 250 U.S. parent-child dyads participated in the study. Parents reported on their children’s social media use and described how they believed the pandemic affected their children’s peer relationships. Child participants were transitioning to middle school and reported on cyber victimization and adjustment.

Findings

Thematic analysis of parental reflections revealed three themes: children spent more time online since the onset of the pandemic, there were negative implications of increased time online and there were positive and protective implications of being online. Analysis also indicated significant indirect effects of social media use on internalizing and externalizing problems through victimization.

Originality/value

Parents reported Gen Z continues to use electronic forms of communication and social media at high rates even after pandemic-related restrictions eased with some suggesting that their children prefer digital over face-to-face communication because they have become accustomed to this way of connecting and may find it easier than in-person interaction. Current findings highlight concerns about this increased time online as social media use negatively affected adjustment via cyber victimization.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by NICHD R15HD098561-01A1. We are deeply grateful for the participation of children and families in this study.

Citation

Rosen, L.H., Rubin, L.J., Dali, S., Llanes, D.M., Lopez, A., Romines, A.E. and Saunders, S.A. (2024), "Time is target for gen Z: increased time online during the pandemic and cyber victimization", Young Consumers, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/YC-07-2023-1787

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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