Webwise 2017 Parenting Survey
Keywords
parenting
internet safety
usage
mediation
risks
Publication details
| Year: | 2017 |
| Issued: | 2017 |
| Language: | English |
| Editors: | |
| Authors: | Farrugia L.; Grehan, Simon; O'Neill, Brian |
| Type: | Short report |
| Topics: | Online safety and policy regulation; Internet usage, practices and engagement; Risks and harms |
| Sample: | The survey was conducted during the first two weeks of January 2017. A questionnaire was circulated to all members of the list on the 3 rd January 2017 (n = 7490). The survey was closed on 14th January 2017. AA total of 1274 respondents completed the survey with a total response rate of 17%). 13 cases had missing data and these were excluded from the analysis, and thus this report is based on the 1261 valid cases. |
| Implications For Parents About: | Parenting guidance / support ; Parental digital literacy |
Abstract
The Webwise 2017 Parenting Survey is a collaboration between Webwise, the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, and the National Parents Council Primary (NPC). Parents on the NPC mailing list were surveyed regarding attitudes to online risks and safety. 1274 responses were received, covering digital parenting issues for children aged 0-18. Comparison with findings of the 2012 Survey of Parental Attitudes was used to highlight relevant trends in parental attitudes.
The survey addressed 4 main topics:
1) Strategies for digital parenting;
2) Attitudes towards children’s internet use;
3) Concerns about online risks;
4) Appropriate age for social networking.
Outcome
Parenting approaches towards children’s use of the internet continue to be a mix of ‘restrictive’ and ‘active’ mediation.
While three-quarters of parents (74%) believe using the internet is important for their child’s education, only a quarter (25%) believe that the benefits of the internet outweigh any risks for their child.
The concerns that worry parents the most are those that pose a direct threat to the child, e.g.
cyberbullying and online grooming, despite the fact that actual incidence is rare.
The right age for social media
36% of the parents surveyed stated that 13 years and over was the appropriate age for a child to have a social media account, reflecting the current age restriction that applies to most social media platforms.
42% of parents would be in favour of raising the current age threshold for social networking from 13 years of age; 36% would retain it as is and 15% would be in favour of lowering the age limit.