About this Research Topic
In recent decades we have been witnessing an explosion of studies on the uses and risks of the Internet and social networks during adolescence and youth. Researchers have delved into the factors associated with all types of online aggression. Much less attention has been paid to online altruism and online prosocial behavior during these stages of life.
Online prosocial behavior (OPB) is understood as voluntary behavior carried out in an electronic context with the intention of benefitting particular others or promoting harmonious relations with. It refers to behaviors such as sharing resources and information online, showing support and comforting others, helping, saying positive or nice things to others, or even giving a like to others. Online altruism refers to voluntary actions carried out in the virtual environment and aimed at helping or benefitting another person or group in any way. From the perspective of social psychology, the term altruism contains an additional nuance, since it refers to behaviors that involve a cost for the person who performs them and it is an action especially motivated by the needs of others without expecting anything in return.
The aim of this Research Topic is to delve into the psychosocial determinants of online altruism and prosocial behavior in adolescents and young people. To capture, describe and analyze the role that different psychological and social variables may play in the manifestation of altruistic and prosocial behaviors on the internet is a challenge in current research. We are interested in understanding the values, attitudes, beliefs, psychological characteristics, interpersonal dynamics, personal and social emotions, and characteristics of online communication that may be facilitating or inhibiting online manifestations of altruism and prosocial behavior. We are interested in knowing the types and forms of manifestation of online altruism and how it changes as a function of age and gender. In this way, social scientists can contribute to promoting these behaviors and preventing antisocial behaviors online.
Online altruism and prosocial behavior are part of young people's social capital, as well as being the best antidote to online hate speech and online aggression. In addition, it should be noted that what happens on the internet has repercussions for offline life.
Empirical and systematic review papers on the following aspects are accepted:
•Forms, manifestations, and factors related to online altruism and prosocial behavior in adolescence and young people
•Measurement of online altruism and prosocial behavior in adolescents and young people
•Age, gender, online altruism, and prosocial behavior
•Attitudes and values towards online prosociality
•Psychosocial factors that favor or hinder online altruism and prosocial behavior
•Intervention programs that favor online altruism and prosocial behavior
•Consequences and benefits of online altruism and prosocial behavior
•Emotions and online prosociality
•Psychosocial factors related to helping others in online games
Online prosocial behavior (OPB) is understood as voluntary behavior carried out in an electronic context with the intention of benefitting particular others or promoting harmonious relations with. It refers to behaviors such as sharing resources and information online, showing support and comforting others, helping, saying positive or nice things to others, or even giving a like to others. Online altruism refers to voluntary actions carried out in the virtual environment and aimed at helping or benefitting another person or group in any way. From the perspective of social psychology, the term altruism contains an additional nuance, since it refers to behaviors that involve a cost for the person who performs them and it is an action especially motivated by the needs of others without expecting anything in return.
The aim of this Research Topic is to delve into the psychosocial determinants of online altruism and prosocial behavior in adolescents and young people. To capture, describe and analyze the role that different psychological and social variables may play in the manifestation of altruistic and prosocial behaviors on the internet is a challenge in current research. We are interested in understanding the values, attitudes, beliefs, psychological characteristics, interpersonal dynamics, personal and social emotions, and characteristics of online communication that may be facilitating or inhibiting online manifestations of altruism and prosocial behavior. We are interested in knowing the types and forms of manifestation of online altruism and how it changes as a function of age and gender. In this way, social scientists can contribute to promoting these behaviors and preventing antisocial behaviors online.
Online altruism and prosocial behavior are part of young people's social capital, as well as being the best antidote to online hate speech and online aggression. In addition, it should be noted that what happens on the internet has repercussions for offline life.
Empirical and systematic review papers on the following aspects are accepted:
•Forms, manifestations, and factors related to online altruism and prosocial behavior in adolescence and young people
•Measurement of online altruism and prosocial behavior in adolescents and young people
•Age, gender, online altruism, and prosocial behavior
•Attitudes and values towards online prosociality
•Psychosocial factors that favor or hinder online altruism and prosocial behavior
•Intervention programs that favor online altruism and prosocial behavior
•Consequences and benefits of online altruism and prosocial behavior
•Emotions and online prosociality
•Psychosocial factors related to helping others in online games
Keywords: Online prosocial behavior, online altruism, adolescence, youth, social capital
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