Parental Mediation in Children's Use of Mobile Devices: A Comparative Study Between Argentina and Colombia

Abstract

Parental mediation in the use of mobile devices by children represents a major daily challenge for contemporary families. This article aims to identify, from a child's perspective, the ways in which parents provide support, the tensions in the forms of regulation, and the presence of extended family around children's use of mobile devices. For this purpose, a comparative analysis of qualitative data has been conducted, capturing the perspectives of 120 children from Colombia and Argentina aged 9 to 12 years. The results were consistent in both countries. Parents are increasingly involved in their children's use of mobile devices, accompanying them in navigating risks and fostering opportunities. The broader family networks and the value of familism, characteristic of Latin American families, are also present in digital mediation activities. From the children's perspective, family members, particularly mothers and fathers, are their primary resource for solving problems, providing technical assistance, and addressing risky situations. The results revealed that children perceive parental mediation in the use of mobile devices as an ongoing negotiation that involves both tensions and moments of dialogue and connections.