Parents need to understand digital world better: A new study on parenting

A new study suggests that parents should learn more about how social media works, especially the complex algorithms it uses. 

These algorithms affect what content their children see online. 

The study looked at how parents understand and deal with these algorithms.

More about the study

The research found that parents' views can change depending on their child's age. 

For example, parents of very young kids who watch YouTube worry about the future impact of these algorithms. They may not see it as a big issue now.

The study also found that parents' own feelings about social media affect how they handle their children's online activities. 

What can you do?

Even though parents think their online data is different from their kids', the study found that there's a lot of overlap because they share family information and data.

The study identified four ways parents understand these algorithms.

Misunderstandings

Some parents have the wrong idea about how algorithms work. 

For instance, they might not understand why YouTube recommends certain videos.

Parked Understandings

Some parents are aware of algorithms but think their worries can wait until their kids are older.

Transactional Understandings

Some parents accept that algorithms are just a part of modern life. 

They use filters for their kids but feel like they can't do much more.

Proactive Understandings

Other parents take immediate action to deal with algorithm impacts. 

For example, they actively monitor what YouTube suggests to their kids to make sure it's appropriate.
 

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• 5 October 2023

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