Online risks faced by children and parents' mediation strategies to deal with these risks

The aim of this study is to examine the mediation activities of the parents of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students regarding their children's use of technology. Within the scope of the research, the phenomenology design from the qualitative research method was used. The participants were chosen based on purposive sampling method. The criterion for participant selection was about their children's attendance level on online courses during the Covid-19 pandemic. For each class level, five parents of students who attended the online lessons during the pandemic period and five parents of students who did not attend were selected. Through interviews, the data were collected about the technological devices they allow children to use, the advantages and disadvantages of technological devices, the online risks that children are exposed / likely to be exposed to, and the mediation methods parents use in the face of these risks. The data were analyzed by content analysis method. According to the results, it was determined that the children use tablets and mobile phones the most. While the parents stated that the most important advantage of technology is easy access to information, the most important disadvantage is the inappropriate and violent content that children are exposed to. Parents stated that their children are/may be exposed to various risks related to excessive use as well as inappropriate content, communication and commercial risks. In the face of these risks, it was revealed that the most frequently used mediation strategies by parents are blocking access, talking to children and setting time limits. As a result, this study constitutes a reference point in terms of sampling and generalizing the mediation practices of parents towards children's technology use.Keywords: Online risks, parents, internet, mediation strategies