Children’s internet competence vs. self-confidence and self-comfort: Case study of latvia

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to compare children’s internet literacy with children’s self-evaluation of their internet competences in a parental mediation context. The theoretical frame includes two aspects – theoretical understanding about “generations” depending on information technology use and parental mediation. Data were collected by a survey of children and four focus groups interviews with parents (all use internet). The children’s survey does not give definite answers about identification of some „generation“, but parents’ answers mark children as another “generation” by their internet use practice. Two high risk factors have been identified (1) children explicitly rely on peers’ competencies when facing problems and (2) keeping silent altogether about the problems they have faced.