PARENTAL MEDIATON OF CHILDREN'S TELEVISION AND VIDEO GAME USE IN GERMANY: ACTIVE AND EMBEDDED N FAMILY PROCESSES

In a survey study, 158 dyads of German parents and their 9 to 12-year-old children reported on their television and video game (VG) consumption, parental mediation strategies, and family climate. Parents also reported their beliefs concerning media effects. We found that mediation strategies differ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of children and media 2015-01, Vol.9 (1), p.58
Main Authors: Schaan, Violetta K, Melzer, André
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Children & youth
Computer & video games
Families & family life
Mediation
Parents & parenting
Perceptions
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Summary:In a survey study, 158 dyads of German parents and their 9 to 12-year-old children reported on their television and video game (VG) consumption, parental mediation strategies, and family climate. Parents also reported their beliefs concerning media effects. We found that mediation strategies differ from acknowledged media usage conceptions in that parents play a more active role than previously assumed. Restrictive mediation comprises rules and restrictions, but also parents' educative explanations that media do not reflect reality. Patronizing mediation includes shared media consumption, but also parents commenting on media contents. Pointing out and emphasizing socio-emotional features in the media (e.g., empathy) characterize active-emotional co-use (AEC). Regression analyses revealed that parental fear of negative media effects predicted both AEC and restrictive mediation. Children and parents' congruent perceptions of family interactions predicted AEC and patronizing VG mediation. Overall, positive ratings of family interactions were associated with children using media less frequently.
ISSN:1748-2798
1748-2801