Adolescents multiple risk behaviours on the internet across 25 European countries

Adolescence has long been considered a period of increased risk behaviour. Moreover, research suggests that those engaging in one type of risk behaviour often additionally do so in others, i.e. engage in multiple risks. The current generation of adolescents are making ever more use of the Internet and are also referred to as the digital natives. Consequently, adolescents risk behaviour also occurs online. The current study investigates multiple risk behaviours of 11–16 year old Internet users in 25 European countries. Cluster-analysis revealed that while the majority of adolescents display no risky behaviours, those who do are either involved in multiple risk behaviours (i.e. all risks studied), engage in only one but no other risk (i.e. making new contacts online) or engage in multiple risks but not cyber-bullying. Psychological and ecological predictors of differential risk behaviours online as well as possible consequences in terms of coping and well-being will be discussed.