Parental Technology Governance: Teenagers’ understandings and responses to parental digital mediation
Date
2022-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Lodz
Abstract
Research on parental mediation of children’s online engagements situate historically longstanding anxieties within the dynamics of present-day information communications technologies (i.e., concerns over new ‘cyber risks’ as well as opportunities). Yet, there remains a lack of emphasis on children’s own reactions to and experiences with parental strategies and responses. In the current article, we highlight research involving semi-structured focus groups (n=35) with Canadian teenagers (n=115). We highlight themes directly related to parental digital mediation, including the role of ICTs in driving addictive behaviours, social connection, differences in parental responses between sons and daughters, and differences with respect to age and birth order. Our discussions reveal qualified support for parental efforts to restrict access and use of digital technologies, but illuminate multifaceted reasons for resistance: their vital role not only for social connection, but access to crucial information and knowledge.
Description
Keywords
digital parenting, parental online governace and mediation, information communication technologies, youth and teenagers, cyber-risk
Citation
Adorjan, M., Ricciardelli, R., & Saleh, T. (2022). “Parental technology governance: teenagers’ understandings and responses to parental digital mediation.” Qualitative Sociology Review. 18(2), 112-130. https://doi.org/10.18778/1733-8077.18.2.06