Vulnerability to Internet Use in Children and Youth of Mayan-Speaking Communities in Southeast Mexico

Abstract

The Internet contributes many benefits to the education of children and young people. However, it also exposes young students to risks such as: a) having access to inappropriate content, b) interaction with other children or adults, c) exposure to aggressive marketing practices, and d) child, sexual and emotional abuse. This article describes the results of a survey on the vulnerability faced by children and young people from eight Maya-speaking communities in the state of Yucatan on the use of the Internet, particularly on caring for the privacy of their personal data, their digital reputation, and cyber bullying. The study was quantitative, descriptive and transversal. The participants were 410 youth, 51% were male and 49% females. Survey results were contrasted with the policies on internet use described by official documents, such as the National Plan of Development (2013-2018) for Mexico, Children's Rights in the Digital Age of the United Nations Children's Fund [Unicef] (2017) and the Law for the protection of the Rights of Children and Adolescents of the State of Yucatán (2016). Findings provide evidence that children and young people from the Mayan-speaking communities have very limited information and preparation regarding the security in the use of Internet and about the risks that they could face while using digital networks. Other findings indicate that the higher the level of education of the parents, the better the technological skills of the youth and their responsible use of the internet.