Young people 'rely on IT for emotional support'

17:14 16th October 2009

The IT industry is providing emotional as well as technical support for many young people, according to a children's charity.

Commissioned by online organisation YouthNet, a report revealed that three-quarters of 16 to 24-year-olds say they "couldn't live without" the internet.

The charity revealed that many young adults are living parallel lives, where online experiences play a crucial part in the growing-up process.

Professor Michael Hulme, the study's lead author, dubbed this group 'digital natives', referring to their instinctive familiarity with technology.

Four in five of those surveyed said they even turned to the internet when looking for advice, while 76 per cent described browsing as safe.

Zara Rabinowicz, technology specialist at Stuff Magazine, advised a cautious approach to web use, by avoiding posting personal information online.

Written by Derek Oldman

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