The phenomenon of Binge Watching among adolescents: an observational descriptive study

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to observe and describe the phenomenon of Binge Watching among the adolescent population during the health emergency period caused by the SARSCoV-2 pandemic and to identify the socio-demographic variables which are most correlated to this behavior. The study involved 376 adolescents attending a secondary school in Brescia, to whom was administered the Binge Watching Engagement and Symptoms Questionnaire (BWESQ). The results showed that the majority of adolescents dedicate a portion of their free time to watching TV series this behavior mainly involves females and young adolescents;it is a typically solitary hobby, pursued through the mobile phone during the evening hours, after dinner. In addition, a certain number of subjects who practice a problematic Binge Watching was found although we do not believe that this phenomenon is attributable to the cluster of behavioral addictions, further studies are needed to investigate this practice, especially in relation to the lockdown periods linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. Such studies are particularly relevant to better understand the attitudes of adolescents towards digital media – especially TV series – and to promote effective education plans that limit abusive behaviors. Copyright © FrancoAngeli.