What worries a parent of a boy in elementary school is most likely different from what worries a parent of a girl in her late teens. But there is advice for all parents to lean on, according to Elina Johnsson, sociologist at Bris.
It's important to be curious and present. The internet is a part of reality just like everything else. What's important is what my child is doing and how it makes my child feel, she says and continues:
All children are different. The Public Health Agency has recommendations that you can use as a starting point. But not all screen time is bad, for example. It is important to look at the whole picture. We know that children who are vulnerable in other parts of their lives are also at risk of being vulnerable online.
Feeling bad
79 percent of parents worry about not being able to protect their children from content that makes them feel bad. What should we think about that?
There are settings you can make in apps and on social media, limiting content and who can contact you. The Swedish Media Authority has a great guide on this.
But it is important to make these settings together with the children, to talk about why this is needed.
67 percent of parents worry about not being able to protect their children from being exposed to abuse or other criminal activity online.
Talk to your child about trust. It's hard to know who you're talking to online. It's not as clear who the "ugly guy" is because people can hide behind different identities.
But also talk about not sharing personal information and pictures. But also to be vigilant about your gut feeling. Is something too good to be true, or does it feel strange?
Temptations
Half of all parents worry about not being able to protect their children from dangerous temptations online. Elina Johnsson points out that what is tempting for one child is not for another.
A post that glorifies gang crime or an influencer's unattainable lifestyle has very different effects. What kind of children do I have in front of me? Talk and be curious, and listen.
The report Children and the Internet is made by Novus on behalf of the Internet Foundation and is based on 629 web interviews with parents of children aged 8–19, as well as 625 web interviews with children aged 8–19.
+ 96 percent of 8–19-year-olds say they use the internet every day.
+ 4 in 10 parents, compared to 3 in 10 children, report arguing about screen time.
+ 85 percent of parents worry about not being able to protect their children online. Parents are most concerned about content that can make their children feel bad and screen addiction.
+ One in five parents wants to take steps to protect their children online but doesn't know how.
+ 40 percent of parents report that their children have discussed AI in lessons at school.
+ 61 percent of children report that they have discussed AI in lessons at school.
+ 26 percent of children have used AI as a homework aid.
+ Chat GPT, 75 percent, followed by My AI (Snapchat), 47 percent were the most used AI tools among children.
Source: Internet Foundation
