Czech Republic

In brief: Czech findings from EU Kids Online 2020

Czech children aged 9 to 17 most frequently use smartphones to access the internet – 84% do so daily. Older children generally use the internet more often and participate in more online activities; consequently, they also encounter more online risks. Interestingly, some commonly feared online risks do not seem to upset Czech young people very often. After encountering sexually explicit content, 41% reported feeling happy and 39% were not upset. Similarly, 78% were happy and 10% were not upset after a face-to-face meeting with a person they only knew from the internet. It is worth noting that a majority of such meetings (67%) was with someone their age, and only 7% were with adults.

There are some intriguing gender differences regarding online risks. For example, while slightly more boys received sexually charged messages, girls were more often specifically asked to share intimate information. Girls also encountered online content supporting extreme thinness more frequently. On the other hand, more boys than girls struggle with computer viruses and spend too much money on in-app purchases and online games. Regarding cyberaggression, girls, as well as younger children, were more upset after being attacked online. The highest percentage of cyber aggressors was among older boys aged 13 to 17 (19%), more than twice as much as among girls of the same age (8%).

Some Czech children are exposed to harmful content – 27% saw hate messages, 19% saw gory or violent images and 17% saw eating disorder-related websites at least once a month. In the Czech Republic, exposure to harmful content is associated with children’s emotional problems and sensation-seeking. Parental mediation strategies – enabling, restrictive and technical mediation – were not associated with exposure to harmful content. However, a positive family environment was a protective factor. Therefore, it seems that while restricting access to the internet doesn’t work, it might help if parents could focus on building good relationships with their children.
Lebedíková, M., Mýlek, V., Subrahmanyam, K., & Smahel, D. (2022). . Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Bedrosova, M., Machackova, H., Serek, J., Smahel, D., & Blaya, C. (2021). . Computers in Human Behavior, 126, 107013.
Kvardova, N., Smahel, D., Machackova, H., & Subrahmanyam, K. (2021). . Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50, 2294-2310.

Factsheet

Summary of findings

Recommendations

Safety Guide

(English)

(Czech)

Questionnaires

Questionnaire for parent

Questionnaire for child

Self-completion questionnaire for child (Children age 9-10)

Self-completion questionnaire for child (Children age 11-16

2022

Dedkova, L., Smahel, D., & Just, M. (2022). . Behaviour & Information Technology, 41(5), 1052-1064.

Drtilova, H., Machackova, H., & Smahelova, M. (2022). . Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(6).

Elavsky, S., Blahošová, J., Lebedíková, M., Tkaczyk, M., Tancos, M., Plhák, J., Sotolář, O., & Smahel, D. (2022). . JMIR Research Protocols, 11(3), e35984.

Görzig, A., Blaya, C., Bedrosova, M., Audrin, C., & Machackova, H. (2022). The Journal of Early Adolescence. Advance online publication.

Gulec, H., Kvardova, N., & Smahel, D. (2022). . Computers in Human Behavior, 134, 107318.

Knapová, L., Smahel, D., Dedkova, L., & Matyas, V. (2022). Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 3107621.

Kruzikova, A., Knapova, L., Smahel, D., Dedkova, L., & Matyas, V. (2022). . Computers & Security, 115, 102603.

Kvardova, N., Machackova, H., & Smahel, D. (2022). . Body Image, 42, 370-374.

Lebedíková, M., Mýlek, V., Subrahmanyam, K., & Smahel, D. (2022). . Archives of Sexual Behavior.

Mascheroni, G., Cino, D., Mikuška, J., & Smahel, D. (2022).. New Media & Society, 24(2), 437–457.

Smahel, D., Dedkova, L., Kraus, L., Matyas, V., & Stavova, V. (2022). . Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 1230344.

2021

Bedrosova, M., Machackova, H., Serek, J., Smahel, D., & Blaya, C. (2021). . Computers in Human Behavior, 126, 107013.

Drtilova, H., Smahel, D., & Smahelova, M. (2021). . Health Communication. Advance online publication.

Galbava, S., Machackova, H., & Dedkova, L. (2021). . Comunicar, 29(67).

Knapova, L., Kruzikova, A., Dedkova, L., & Smahel, D. (2021). Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 24(9), 584-592.

Kvardova, N., Smahel, D., Machackova, H., & Subrahmanyam, K. (2021). . Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50, 2294-2310.

Mýlek, V., Dedkova, L., & Smahel, D. (2021). . New Media & Society. Online publication.

Sevcikova, A., Vasek, D., Blinka, L., Machackova, H., & Jezek, S. (2021). . Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 18, 355-367.

2020

Bai, S., Elavsky, S., Kishida, M., Dvorakova, K., & Greenberg, M. (2020). . Mindfulness, 11(6), 1433-1445.

Dedkova, L., & Smahel, D. (2020). . Journal of Family Issues, 41(8), 1112-1136.

Elavsky, S., Knapová, L., Klocek, A., & Smahel, D. (2020). Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 27(4), 565-593.

Knapova, L., Klocek, A., & Elavsky, S. (2020). . Journal of Medical Internet Reseach, 22(5), e14670.

Kvardova, N., Machackova, H., & Smahel, D. (2020). . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7).

Lakomy, M., Hlavova, R., Machackova, H., Bohlin, G., Lindholm, M., Bertero, M. G., & Dettenhofer, M. (2020). . PLOS ONE, 15(8), 1-17.

Machackova H., & Tkaczyk, M. (2020). . Communication Today, 11(2), 65-83.

Machackova, H. (2020). . Current Opinion in Psychology, 36, 130-134.

Mikuska, J., Smahel, D., Dedkova, L., Staksrud, E., Mascheroni, G., & Milosevic, T. (2020). . International Journal of Public Health, 65(8), 1289-1297.

Mýlek, V., Dedkova, L., & Machackova, H. (2020). . Children and Youth Services Review, 114.

Riad, A., Huang, Y., Zheng, L., & Elavsky, S. (2020). . MedRxiv.

Smahelova, M., Klocek, A., Knapova, L., & Elavsky, S. (2020). Vnímání ve zdravotnictví využitelných informačně-komunikačních technologií českými praktickými lékaři. Praktický lékař, 100(2), 92-99.

2019

Dedkova, L., & Smahel, D. (2019). . Journal of Family Issues.

Görzig, A., Bedrosova, M., & Machackova, H. (2019). . International Journal of Developmental Science, 13 (3-4), pp. 83-95.

Helsper, E. J., & Smahel, D. (2019). . Information, Communication & Society.

2018

Cernikova, M, Smahel, D., & Wright, M. F. (2018). Children’s experiences and awareness about impact of digital media on health. Health Communication, 33, 664-673.

Machackova, H., Dedkova, L., Sevcikova, A., & Cerna, A. (2018). . Journal of School Violence, 17, 99-110.

Ševčíková, A., Blinka, L., & Daneback, K. (2018). European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 15, 426-437.

Wright, M. F., Yanagida, T., Macháčková, H., Dědková, L., Ševčíková, A., Aoyama, I., Bayraktar, F, ... Shu, C. (2018). Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, 11, 99-112.

Cernikova, M, Dedkova, L., & Smahel, D. (2018). . Information, Communication & Society, 21, 94-110.

Bedrošová, M., Hlavová, R., Macháčková, H., Dědková, L. & Šmahel, D. (2018). . EU Kids Online IV in the Czech Republic 2017–2018. Brno: Masaryk University.

2017

Macháčková, H., & Šerek, J. (2017). Does ‘clicking’ matter? Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 11(4), article 5.

Smahelova, M., Juhová, D., Cermak, I., & Smahel, D. (2017). . Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 11(3), article 4.

Wright, M. F., Yanagida, T., Aoyama, I., Ševčíková, A., Macháčková, H., Dědková, L., … & Shu, C. (2017). . Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 48, 1216-1229.

2015

Barbovschi, M. & Velicu, A. (2015, forthcoming). Forced identities of young people: impersonated, hacked, shared or tagged without permission. Breaches of self-presentation and identity management online in EU Kids Online III and Net Children Go Mobile projects. In Lorentz, P., Metykova, M., Smahel, D. & Wright, M. (Eds.). Living in the Digital Age: Self-Presentation, Networking, Playing, and Participation in Politics. Masaryk University Press. Brno, Czech Republic.

Dedkova, L., Cerna, A., Janasova, K., & Daneback, K. (in press). Meeting online strangers offline: The nature of upsetting experiences for adolescent girls. Communications. European Journal of Communication Research.

Dědková, L. (in press). Navazování kontaktů online a setkávání se s neznámými lidmi z internetu [Seeking and meeting online strangers]. In A. Ševčíková (Ed.), Děti a dospívající online: Vybraná rizika používání internetu [Youth online: Selected risks of internet use]. Praha: Grada.

Macháčková, H. (in press). Online komunity: v čem představují rizika pro dospívající? [Online communities: What are their risks for adolescents?]. In A. Ševčíková (Ed.). Děti online: vybraná rizika požívání internetu [Children online: Selected risks of internet use]. Praha: Grada.

Macháčková, H. (in press). Soukromí a sebe-odkrývání na online sociálních sítích [Privacy and self-disclosure on online social network sites]. In A. Ševčíková (Ed.). Děti online: vybraná rizika požívání internetu [Children online: Selected risks of internet use]. Praha: Grada.

Ševčíková, A. (Ed.) (in press). Děti a dospívající online: vybraná rizika používání internet [Children and adolescents online: Selected risks associated with internet use]. Praha: Grada publishing.

2014

Barbovschi, M. (2014). Dealing with misuse of personal information online – coping measures of children in the EU Kids Online III project. Special issue Communications. The European Journal of Communication Research.

Ševčíková, A., Šerek, J., Barbovschi, M., & Daneback, D. (2014). The Roles of Individual Characteristics and Liberalism in Intentional and Unintentional Exposure to Online Sexual Material Among European Youth: A Multilevel Approach. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 11(2),104-115. doi: 10.1007/s13178-013-0141-6

Smahel, D., Wright, M. F., & Cernikova, M. (2014). Classification of online problematic situations in the context of youths’ development. Communications: European Journal of Communication Research.

Smahel, D., & Wright, M. (2014). The meaning of online problematic situations for children: Results of qualitative cross-cultural investigation in nine European countries. London: EU Kids Online.

David Smahel, Ph.D. is a Professor at the Faculty of Social Studies and the Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Czech Republic. He is the leader of the Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society (irtis.muni.cz) which researches social-psychological implications of the internet and technology. His current research focus is on adolescents’ and adults’ internet use, the online risks of children and adolescents, the construction of online identities and virtual relationships, online addictive behavior, and online research methods. He is an editor of Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace and has co-authored book Digital Youth: The Role of Media in Development.

Hana Machackova, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and a researcher at Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society, Department of Psychology, and Department of Media Studies and Journalism at Masaryk University. Overall, Hana researches the role of internet and technologies in adolescents' lives. Her current research focus is on online aggression, online communities, and health and well-being. Hana has participated in several national and international projects and has experience with planning and implementing quantitative designs. She is now focusing on experimental research in the area of cyberpsychology. Hana is also a leader of the working group Experimental studies on effects of media usage.

Lenka Dedkova, Ph.D. is a postdoc at IRTIS (Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University), and the editor of Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace. Lenka has participated in several national and international projects and has experience with social science and informatics research. Her research interests include the impact of children's and adolescents' experiences with online interactions on their well-being, online parental mediation, and usable security.

Marie Bedrosova, PhD is a postdoc researcher at Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society (IRTIS) and the Department of Media Studies and Journalism at the Faculty of Social Studies at Masaryk University. She also works as an assistant editor of Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace. Her research interests are cyberaggression and cyberhate, with a focus on children and adolescents. She has been involved in several international projects and has experience with quantitative and experimental methodology.

Vojtěch Mýlek, M.A. is a doctoral student of Social psychology at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Masaryk University and a researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Team for Internet and Society (IRTIS). His research focuses on adolescents' online communication and offline, face-to-face meetings with people they met on the internet. He is also interested in adolescents' risk perception and social well-being.

nikol_kvardova(1)

Nikol Kvardová, M.A. is a Ph.D. candidate in psychology at the Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University. Her research interests cover the role of social media in body image, the phenomenon of appearance-based cyberaggression, and online health behaviors among young people.

Michaela Lebedíková, M. A. is a doctorate student of Media and journalism studies at the Faculty of Social Studies at Masaryk University. Her main research focus are digital intimacies (mainly exposure to sexually explicit materials and sexting) and its effects on well-being, especially of adolescents. She is also interested in methodologies surrounding analysis of pornography and adolescents' use of technology with regard to their sexual lives and development.

David Lacko, M.A. is a Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Arts at Masaryk University with a focus on cross-cultural differences in perception and cognition. He is also interested in a statistics and psychometrics, cognitive psychology and eye-tracking.

Zlamal

Rostislav Zlámal, M.A. is a Ph.D. student of Media studies and journalism at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Masaryk University. His main research interests are data quality diagnostics and the impact of survey methodology on missing data.

Eliška Dufková, M.A. is a Ph.D. student of psychology at Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University. Her research interests include studying memory, more specifically the accuracy of recalled events or eyewitness identifications. She is also interested in the impacts of technology on adolescents, research on bystander effect, and different aspect of online and offline aggression.

Hana Machackova
Associate Professor
Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society
Faculty of Social Studies
Masaryk University
Joštova 10
602 00 Brno
Czech Republic
Tel: CZ +420 549 49 4744
Email: hmachack@fss.muni.cz
www: http://irtis.muni.cz

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Czech Republic

In brief: Czech findings from EU Kids Online 2020

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Reports and resources