Restricting, Distracting, and Reasoning: Parental Mediation of Young Children’s Use of Mobile Communication Technology in Indonesia

Abstract

Using qualitative interviews for data-gathering, this study investigated how parents with young children (aged 2–7) in Indonesia’s greater Jakarta area mediated their children’s use of mobile communication devices. Parents introduce their children to smartphones or tablets for educational, entertainment, as well as “babysitting” purposes. However, parents’ perceptions about online risks seem to outweigh those of benefits. Potential health issues, such as eyestrain and sedentary lifestyles, and exposure to violent content were seen as the most salient risks. Restrictive mediation on time and content was the most prevalent approach practiced, perhaps due to the age of the children and the lack of time and energy among working parents. In reaction to the children’s resistance to time restrictions, parents with older children attempted to reason with the children and engage in parent–child conversations, while those with younger children preferred to redirect them to other activities.