Parental mediation of children’s online risks

The role of parental risk perception, digital skills and risk experiences

Bibliographic Data

ID6443533
AuthorsEllen Helsper (0000-0002-0852-2853, London School of Economics and Political Science, corresponding author), Giuseppe Veltri (0000-0002-9472-2236, University of Trento), Sonia Livingstone (0000-0002-3248-9862, London School of Economics and Political Science)
Year2024
Volume27
Issue11
Pages5986-6005
Publication date2024-07-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNew Media & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-4448 • E-ISSN: 1461-7315
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/14614448241261945
OpenAlexW4401035934
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited40

This article advances the understanding of parental mediation of children’s online activities by examining the roles of parental perceptions of risk and parent and child digital skills. Analysis of a survey of European parents distinguishes parental perceptions of the likelihood of risk and the severity of harm before testing the linearity of their relation to digital skills. Results show that parents with higher perceived control over online risk management and those with a broader set of digital skills are more involved in mediating their children’s online activities. The analysis also shows a non-linear, n -shaped relationship between parental skills and parental perception of the severity of harm. The results suggest that future research on parental mediation should distinguish parental knowledge of the digital world based on direct experience from their general perceptions of the likelihood of risk and severity of harm

Developmental psychology · Harm · Mediation · Parental control · Perception · Political science · Risk perception · Set (abstract data type · Child Development and Digital Technology · Computer Science · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

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