Computer Science Program and Dean of the College Present
Online Parenting and Digital Privacy
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
RKC 102
4:45 pm EST/GMT-5
4:45 pm EST/GMT-5
Abigail Marsh, Carnegie Mellon University
Teenagers are using the internet for a variety of social and identity-based activities, but in doing so, they are exposed to risky situations. The work of ensuring teens’ online safety falls to largely parents, many of whom are unprepared to understand the realities and norms of teens’ online activity. In my work, I investigate how parents and teens perceive online risks, the efficacy of current tools designed to keep teens safe online, and finally, whether we can improve currently available online safety tools. I have conducted interviews with parents and teens to understand how they perceive digital privacy within their families, and in what situations teens’ privacy should be preserved or denied. I present some results from an ongoing study which explores the privacy-invasive and restrictive parenting tools that many parents employ. I find that rather than focusing on high-severity risks, e.g. child abduction or cyberbullying, most parents who are given digital parenting tools instead use the tools to enforce rules about the amount of time a device can be used. I propose alternative online safety solutions to address parent concerns about screen time that are less invasive of teens' online privacy.For more information, call 845-752-2359, or e-mail [email protected].
Time: 4:45 pm EST/GMT-5
Location: RKC 102