Czechia

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

2023

Bedrošová, M., Mylek, V., Dedkova, L., & Velicu, A. (2023). Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 26(7), 462–471.

Cino, D., Lacko, D., Mascheroni, G., & Šmahel, D. (2023). . Journal of Children and Media 17(1), 1–18.

Görzig, A., Blaya, C., Bedrosova, M., Audrin, C., & Machackova, H. (2023). The Journal of Early Adolescence, 43(1), 5–36.

2022

Bedrosova, M., Machackova, H., Serek, J., Smahel, D., & Blaya, C. (2022). Computers in Human Behavior, 126, 107013, 1–13.

Lebedíková, M., Mýlek, V., Subrahmanyam, K., & Smahel, D. (2022). Archives of Sexual Behavior, 52, 333-351.

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.

hana-machackova New

Hana Machackova, PhD is the leader of the Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society (irtis.muni.cz), and an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology and the Department of Media Studies and Journalism at Masaryk University. Overall, Hana researches the role of the internet and technologies in adolescents' lives. Her current research focus is on anonymity, 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 the Effects of Media Usage.

SmahelNew

David Smahel, PhD is a Professor at the Faculty of Social Studies and the Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Czech Republic and a member of the Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society 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 behaviour, 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.

Lenka Dedkova2

Lenka Dedkova, PhD is a postdoctoral researcher 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 digital parenting, online socialising and the impacts of ICT on wellbeing.

Marie Jaron Bedrosova

Marie Jaron Bedrosova, PhD is a postdoctoral researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society (IRTIS) and Assistant Professor at 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, PhD is a researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Team for Internet and Society (IRTIS), Faculty of Social Sciences, Masaryk University. In his dissertation research, he investigated adolescents' interactions with people they know only from the internet. His academic interests further include online communication and self-disclosure, social well-being, open science, and statistical analysis of longitudinal data.

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 Šaradín Lebedíková, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Media Studies and Journalism and a postdoc researcher at IRTIS at the Faculty of Social Studies at Masaryk University. Her main research focus is on digital intimacy (exposure to sexually explicit materials and sexting) and digital well-being, which she studies from the standpoint of media effects. Michaela is also involved in research on the short-term impact of technology on well-being using experience sampling design.

David Lacko, PhD is a postdoctoral researcher at Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society (IRTIS) at Masaryk University and at Institute of Psychology at Czech Academy of Sciences. His long-term research interests include cross-cultural research, methodology of science, and statistics. Currently, he is also examining the effects of video games and video streaming on well-being and exploring the implementation of reaction time joint modeling into social psychology.

Iveta Jansová, PhD is the Head of the Department of Media Studies and Journalism and holds a PhD in Media and Cultural Studies. Her research focuses on audience studies, fan culture, and the representation of marginalised identities in the media, particularly in crime genres. She has published work on fandoms, media usage of Czech audiences, and the portrayal of female heroines in Czech TV crime series. Currently, she is part of both domestic and international research teams and projects studying journalists and public service media, with an emphasis on the marginalization of identities.

Vojtěch Dvořák, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Media and Journalism Studies Department at Masaryk University, Czech Republic. He holds a Ph.D. in Media Studies and Journalism, as well as a master’s degree in Social Work and Policy. His research focuses on innovative approaches to representing marginalized and vulnerable populations in media. From 2019 to 2022, he served as the head of a low-threshold day center supporting unhoused people in Brno. In 2022–2023, he spent a year as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the University of Denver.

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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Czechia

In brief: Czech findings from EU Kids Online 2020

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Reports and resources