Parenting and Social Media

• In Event: 4440 - Children and Youth in a Changing World

Abstract

The rise of social media has generated confusion and concern on the part of parents. In this paper, we report on an analysis of websites that offer advice to parents on how to guide their children’s use of the internet. These websites include reports of professional associations, such as the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as tips prepared by magazines such as US News and World Report. The main themes are monitoring (36 websites), privacy (33), communication (28), safety (27), and limiting use (27). Fewer than half (19) of the websites included in this research addressed the permanence of online sharing and/or how this may have an impact on future college admissions or employment opportunities. We link these findings to concepts such as “digital cultural capital,” “intensive parenting,” and the role of technology and expertise in contemporary society.

Authors

• Lauren Harris, University of Pennsylvania

• Jerry A. Jacobs, University of Pennsylvania