Parental profiles and online supervision in the digital age

Abstract

Amidst the escalating digital engagement observed among adolescents, it becomes imperative for parents to hone specific skills related to digital parenting. This study endeavors to delineate parental profiles by scrutinizing their interaction with technology, establishing a correlation between these profiles and their proficiency in overseeing and guiding their adolescent children's utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Employing LatentGold V.6.0 software, we conducted a latent class analysis involving 1200 parents with adolescent children aged 11-17 in Spain (x = 46.61 years, range 28-69 years). The analysis unveiled three distinct profiles: 'Instrumentals' (39.61%), characterized by a utilitarian and necessity-driven use of ICT; 'Digital Passives' (31.88%), who scarcely engage with ICT; and 'Digital Actives' (28.51%), who are characterized by habitual engagement with ICT. Notably, they not only use technology for utility but also adeptly leverage its benefits, enjoying recreational digital pursuits. The latter profile, primarily composed of young parents, demonstrated that their tools and knowledge not only enrich their digital experience but also enhance their effectiveness in digital-age parenting. This underscores the importance of targeted interventions designed to help parents integrate into the 'Digital Actives' class. Such initiatives should promote engagement with ICT, fostering essential digital competencies and cultivating a positive appreciation for the benefits of technology, including the expansion of digital leisure activities for the entire family.