Authors

• National Audiovisual Institute (KAVI)
• E2 Research

Keywords

adolescents, information society, leisure time, mass media use, online services, online social networks, smartphones, social media, well-being (society)

Abstract

The data covers the views and experiences related to well-being of young people and young adults aged 15-29 in relation to the use of smartphones and social media. The data was collected as part of the Finnish Safer Internet Centre project, which received funding from the EU-funded Digital Europe program.

First, respondents were asked what they usually do with their smartphones in their leisure time and what social media services they use. They were also asked what are the main positive things that using a smartphone has given them over the past year and, on the other hand, whether they have encountered any negative things, such as harassment, anxiety, or hate speech, when using their smartphone.

Next, respondents were asked whether smartphone use had taken time away from other activities and, if so, what kind of activities. They were then asked whether they had received advice and support regarding smartphone use and whether they found it easy to stop using their smartphone when they wanted to. Finally, they were asked whether they felt accepted in at least one online social network and were asked to give advice in an open-ended answer on how to use smartphones in a way that supports balance and mental well-being.

Background variables include age, gender, province of residence, whether the respondent feels they belong to a minority group, native language, labor market status, level of education, residential area, and type of household.