A Conceptual Framework of Risk-Taking Behaviors of Adolescents while using the Internet in Bangladesh

The main objective of this study is to justify the necessity of developing a conceptual framework on risk-taking behaviours of adolescents while using the Internet in Bangladesh. In all, 507 adolescents participated in a survey on risk-taking behaviours using the Internet. The risks were classified into three categories, namely, risk-taking behaviours in general, risk-taking behaviours due to curiosity and other types of risk-taking behaviours. The results demonstrated that adolescents who received parental guidance and supervision were less likely to take risks while using the Internet than the adolescents without parental support and supervision. Based on the findings of the study, it is argued that proactive roles played by parents, such as parental guidance on safe use of Internet, monitoring, education about safe Internet use, installation of filtering software etc., could reduce the risk-taking behaviours of the younger generation.