Media use of youth with intellectual disabilities in Italian-speaking Switzerland

Abstract

This contribution summarizes the results of a survey on media use of youth with intellectual disabilities for the Italian-speaking side of Switzerland. In particular, we focus on the use of mobile phones, social media and more generally the internet. In general, the media use of young people with intellectual disabilities is comparable, both in terms of use and preferences, to that of their peers. Almost all of them use media devices, especially mobile phones, and access the internet, especially social media. Young people with intellectual disabilities can therefore also benefit from the opportunities offered by media in terms of information and social contacts. However, they are not even exempt from problematic phenomena such as viewing inappropriate content for their age, internet addiction and some forms of cyberbullying and cybergrooming. This is why we argue that they need special care and support in the use of media, so that they can benefit a healthy digital and social participation.