Parental Mediation of Young Children’s Internet Use

Children are using the Internet at younger and younger ages. So far, however, we know little about how parents guide young children's online activities to prevent risks. Filling this void an Internet-survey established empirically which media guidance strategies 792 parents of children (2-12 years) in the Netherlands used. As was established in former television and game research factor analysis revealed that parents also applied ‘co-use’, ‘active mediation’, and ‘restrictive mediation’. In addition, parents also applied new strategies: ‘supervision’ i.e. keeping an eye on the child from a distance, and using safety software applications. Mediation types were mainly predicted by the child’s age and online behavior, such as gaming and social networking. Also, parents applied more mediation when they expected positive effects and particularly when they expected negative effects of the Internet, indicating that parents deliberately adjust their mediation to the child's needs and interests. Mediation was also predicted by the number of computers at home, and the parent’s gender, education and computer / Internet skills.