Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine support workers’ perceptions of the benefits and risks of Internet access by adult service users with intellectual disability and their online activities and behaviours. It also aimed to explore support workers’ training needs and mediation strategies implemented to prevent and address online risks. A cross-sectional survey design was conducted including 135 Spanish support workers participating in the study. Findings show that support workers perceive the Internet as an unsafe environment, emphasising online risks over benefits for people with intellectual disability. Support workers reported undesirable online behaviours (e.g. cyberbullying) experienced and engaged in by service users. Although support workers declared the use of active mediation strategies to prevent online risks, they lacked training on Internet safety. Training programs should be designed and implemented by service providers to provide their support workers with strategies to promote the safe use of the Internet.

• Points of interest

• People with intellectual disabilities' access to the Internet is increasing, and while this has brought about many opportunities for them, it has also raised some concerns among family and support workers.

• This article discusses Internet-related issues experienced by adults with intellectual disability from the perspective of their support workers.

• According to support workers, the Internet is more risky than beneficial for adults with intellectual disability and they report some undesirable online behaviours experienced and/or perpetrated by their service users (e.g. cyberbullying, online threatening, requesting personal information).

• In addition, support workers report a lack of training on Internet safety and a limited use of strategies that help to prevent and address online risks.

• The perceptions of risk may result in overprotection. More training programs should be implemented to promote the meaningful but safe use of the Internet by adults with intellectual disability.

摘要

本研究的目的是检查支持人员对智障成人服务用户访问互联网的好处和风险及其在线活动和行为的看法。它还旨在探索支持工人的培训需求和为预防和解决在线风险而实施的调解策略。进行了一项横断面调查设计，包括参与研究的 135 名西班牙支持人员。调查结果表明，支持人员认为互联网是一个不安全的环境，强调在线风险而不是为智障人士带来的好处。支持人员报告了服务用户经历和参与的不良在线行为（例如网络欺凌）。尽管支持人员宣布使用积极的调解策略来预防在线风险，他们缺乏互联网安全方面的培训。服务提供商应设计和实施培训计划，为他们的支持人员提供促进安全使用互联网的策略。

• 兴趣点

• 智障人士上网的机会越来越多，虽然这给他们带来了很多机会，但也引起了家庭和支持人员的一些担忧。

• 本文从支持人员的角度讨论了智障成年人所经历的与互联网相关的问题。

• 据支持人员称，对于智障成年人来说，互联网的风险大于益处，他们报告了其服务用户经历和/或犯下的一些不良在线行为（例如网络欺凌、在线威胁、索取个人信息）。

• 此外，支持人员报告称，缺乏互联网安全培训，以及对有助于预防和解决在线风险的策略的使用有限。

• 对风险的认知可能会导致过度保护。应实施更多培训计划，以促进智障成年人有意义但安全地使用互联网。