MEDIA SAFETY AND THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF INTERNET EXPOSURE AMONG ADOLESCENTS

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of modern information and communication technologies, particularly the Internet and social networks, on the younger generation, as well as to identify the associated risks and positive effects. The research methods include the analysis of scholarly literature, the generalization of theoretical approaches, and the interpretation of statistical data. The findings demonstrate that the Internet serves as an important environment for adolescent socialization, providing opportunities for self-development, learning, and communication, while simultaneously generating a number of risks, including internet addiction, a decline in communicative skills, and exposure to destructive content. The study establishes that the family and the educational environment play a key role in ensuring media safety. It is concluded that a systematic approach to regulating adolescents’ digital activity is necessary, based on a combination of parental control, the development of critical thinking, and the formation of responsible behavior in the digital environment.

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