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Children’s Vulnerability to Digital Technology within the Family: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Tove Lafton

    (Faculty of Education and International Studies, Department of Early Childhood Education, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway)

  • Halla B. Holmarsdottir

    (Faculty of Education and International Studies, Department of Primary and Secondary Teacher Education, 0130 Oslo, Norway)

  • Olaf Kapella

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University Wien, 1010 Vienna, Austria)

  • Merike Sisask

    (School of Governance, Law and Society, Tallinn University, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Liudmila Zinoveva

    (School of Governance, Law and Society, Tallinn University, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia)

Abstract

Children today experience digital engagement from a young age, and information and communication technology (ICT) use impacts how the family, seen as a social–relational structure or network of two or more people, communicates and interacts in daily life. This review broadly encompasses how children and young people are vulnerable regarding digital technology, focusing on diverse aspects of the family. The scoping review includes a final corpus of 100 articles broadly focusing on the term ‘vulnerability’ as it relates to digital technology and the family. The themes identified originate from the articles and describe five domains of vulnerability: (1) extensive Internet use, (2) age and gender, (3) risky online behaviour, (4) social networking as a social lubricant, and (5) parental mediation and care. The studies identified lean heavily on quantitative studies measuring time, whilst depth and context are less visible. Despite a growing body of research, there is a lack of both qualitative studies and research examining the role of technology in the lives of children and young people and how family dynamics are affected in the digital age.

Suggested Citation

  • Tove Lafton & Halla B. Holmarsdottir & Olaf Kapella & Merike Sisask & Liudmila Zinoveva, 2022. "Children’s Vulnerability to Digital Technology within the Family: A Scoping Review," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:13:y:2022:i:1:p:11-:d:1021230
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Idunn Seland & Halla B. Holmarsdottir & Christer Hyggen & Olaf Kapella & Dimitris Parsanoglou & Merike Sisask, 2022. "Conditions Contributing to Positive and Negative Outcomes of Children’s ICT Use: Protocol for a Scoping Review," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Anna Faltýnková & Lukas Blinka & Anna Ševčíková & Daniela Husarova, 2020. "The Associations between Family-Related Factors and Excessive Internet Use in Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Wąsiński, Arkadiusz & Tomczyk, Łukasz, 2015. "Factors reducing the risk of internet addiction in young people in their home environment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 68-74.
    4. Best, Paul & Manktelow, Roger & Taylor, Brian, 2014. "Online communication, social media and adolescent wellbeing: A systematic narrative review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 27-36.
    5. Regina J.J.M. van den Eijnden & Suzanne M. Geurts & Tom F.M. ter Bogt & Vincent G. van der Rijst & Ina M. Koning, 2021. "Social Media Use and Adolescents’ Sleep: A Longitudinal Study on the Protective Role of Parental Rules Regarding Internet Use before Sleep," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-13, February.
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