Communication technology and social mediation: the role of cell phones in friendship among adolescents

Authors

  • Hugo Cristo Sant'Anna Faculdade Estácio de Sá
  • Agnaldo Garcia Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v15i1.7537

Keywords:

friendship, adolescence, cell phone

Abstract

This study investigated how adolescents perceive the use of the cell phone in their relationships with friends. Twenty adolescents (ten boys and ten girls) with ages ranging from 14 to 17 years old participated. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews and they were discussed according to the perspective of Robert Hinde. The cell phone enabled adolescents to increase the time in contact with friends, the amount of information exchanged and the diversity of situations in which friends were contacted, and it is used mainly to plan activities with friends. It allowed adolescents to increase the number of friends and affected pre-existing relationships. Satisfaction with friendships, opportunities to give and receive support, intimacy and closeness with friends increased after the use of the cell phone.

 

Keywords: friendship; adolescence; cell phone.

 

 

 

Author Biographies

Hugo Cristo Sant'Anna, Faculdade Estácio de Sá

Mestre em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo e Professor da Faculdade Estácio de Sá, Vitória.

Agnaldo Garcia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

Doutor em Psicologia pela Universidade de São Paulo. Professor do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia e do Departamento de Psicologia Social e do Desenvolvimento da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. Bolsista de Produtividade em Pesquisa do CNPq.

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Published

2011-10-01

How to Cite

Sant’Anna, H. C., & Garcia, A. (2011). Communication technology and social mediation: the role of cell phones in friendship among adolescents. Interação Em Psicologia, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v15i1.7537

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2011)

Section

Articles

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