The Role of Law in Protecting Minors from Stress Caused by Social Media

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the role of law in protecting minors from the stress derived from the use of social networks. The research employed a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional design. Statistical analysis techniques were applied using the mediation and moderation model proposed by PROCESS in SPSS. The sample consisted of 8,350 participants, incorporating mediating variables such as knowledge of digital laws and implementation of regulations, and moderating variables such as parental supervision and access to devices.

Findings indicated that law significantly influences knowledge of digital laws (β = 0.234, p < 0.001) and implementation of regulations (β = 0.189, p < 0.001), which, in turn, impacts social network use (β = 0.482, p < 0.001). In addition, parental supervision (β = 0.134, p < 0.001) and access to devices (β = 0.152, p < 0.001) were found to moderate these relationships, amplifying the positive effects of legal and educational norms. The general linear regression model obtained a coefficient of determination of R² = 0.465, indicating a robust explanatory model. In conclusion, the study has implications for better regulation of digital environments, as well as for the promotion of digital education, underpinning the basis on which the legal framework is structured.