Empowering Parents to Protect Children Against Online Risks Through Digital Parenting: An Umbrella Review

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 11:45 am - Gold 3
  In Roundtable Session: Learning from International Context: Promoting Home-School Engagement

Abstract

Digital parenting involves guiding children’s digital technology use through methods like restrictive mediation, active mediation, co-use to address cyberbullying, privacy risks, and screentime. This umbrella review synthesizes 33 systematic reviews and meta-analyses to evaluate the impact of digital parenting on child development. Findings highlight that hybrid approaches, which integrate multiple strategies, are most effective when adapted to children’s developmental stages, cultural contexts, and family dynamics. Addressing socioeconomic diversity and improving parental digital literacy are key to creating inclusive and effective digital parenting strategies that reduce online risks. By adopting evidence-based practices, parents can better support children’s digital wellbeing and meaningful engagement with digital technologies.

Authors

• Mengyi Liang, University of Hong Kong

• Cheng Yong Tan, University of Hong Kong

• Naiqi Xu, The University of Hong Kong