Parental mediation of children’s online risks: The role of parental risk perception, digital skills and risk experiences

Abstract

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.