The relationship between digital parenting awareness and online privacy awareness

In today's world, where technology is rapidly spreading, parents play a crucial role in preventing the risks that children may encounter in digital environments and in guiding them appropriately. In this context, parents' digital awareness and online privacy awareness are highly important for ensuring that children participate in digital environments safely and effectively. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between parents' digital awareness levels and their online privacy awareness. The research was designed in accordance with the principles of survey research, causal- comparative research, and correlational research methods. The sample of the study consisted of 310 parents residing in the city of Eskişehir, whose children are enrolled in primary and secondary schools. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Digital Parenting Awareness Scale, and the Online Privacy Awareness Scale.According to the findings, parents' demographic characteristics do not create a statistically significant difference in their levels of digital parenting and online privacy awareness. Parents' digital parenting awareness was generally found to be high, with the highest mean score in the "efficient use" dimension and the lowest in the "negative role modeling" dimension. Similarly, the overall level of online privacy awareness was also found to be high, with the highest mean score observed in the "communication and sharing" sub-dimension.Structural equation modeling results revealed that the "attention" and "security" dimensions of online privacy awareness significantly and positively predict the favorable dimensions of digital parenting awareness, namely efficient use and protection from risks. Moreover, the "communication and sharing" dimension was found to negatively predict the unfavorable sub-dimensions of digital parenting awareness, such as negative role modeling and digital neglect.The findings indicate that although parents are generally conscious of digital awareness and online privacy, there is still room for improvement in certain areas.