A Model of Online Protection to Reduce Children’s Online Risk Exposure: Empirical Evidence From Asia

Abstract

Abstract:Children are surrounded by a variety of digital media and therefore they are exposed to potential risks that come with them. Learning how to be safe online is an important consideration for both children and their caregivers. The present study proposes an integrated model of online safety based on constructs from Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and the Health Belief Model (HBM), namely perceived severity of (and susceptibility to) risk, online self-efficacy, online privacy concern, and digital literacy. A survey was conducted among 420 schoolchildren aged 9 to 16 years. Using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling, the results illustrated the presence of a negative effect of 'perceived severity of online risk' toward online risks, whereas the effect of 'digital literacy' was found to be positive. Children, whose perception of online risks was more severe, would be less exposed to online risks if they had higher 'online privacy concerns' than the children with higher 'digital literacy' who are more exposed to online risk. In conclusion, engaging in safe online behaviour requires children to have a high perception of severity about online risks as well as knowledge of online privacy concerns. Online risks and opportunities are parallel. The factors that reduce/increase risk may also reduce/increase benefits, and therefore require further investigation.

Digital Skills and Digital Knowledge as Buffers Against Online Mis/Disinformation? Findings from a Survey Study Among Young People in Europe

“…Based on our findings, it seems that especially communication and interaction skills could be valuable in protecting young people from these risks. This finding is again not in line with the online risk literature that suggests that more skills lead to more risk (Cabello-Hutt et al, 2018;Haddon et al, 2020;Rodríguez-de-dios et al, 2018;Sevcikova et al, 2014;Teimouri et al, 2018). However, given that social media are the platforms where mis/disinformation flourish (Bradshaw & Howard, 2019;Wang et al, 2019), the nature of these communication platforms may provide a potential explanation for this finding.…”

“…However, previous research on the value of digital skills and digital knowledge has mostly focused on risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to pornographic materials, sexting, or meeting strangers online (Cabello-Hutt et al, 2018; Cakir et al, 2016; Rodríguez-de-dios et al, 2018; Sevcikova et al, 2014; Sonck & de Haan, 2013; Teimouri et al, 2018). Knowledge about whether these findings also apply to risks relating to mis/disinformation remains limited.…”

Digital Literacy and Online Resilience as Facilitators of Young People’s Well-Being?

“…These associations ranged between weak and medium strength. All researchers that studied digital literacy in the risky online environment agreed that young people with higher digital skill levels encounter more negative online experiences than do young people with lower digital skill levels (Livingstone et al, 2017; Notten & Nikken, 2016; Rodríguez-de-Dios et al, 2018; Sevcikova et al, 2014; Sonck & de Haan, 2013; Staksrud et al, 2013; Teimouri et al, 2018; Vandoninck et al, 2010). This is likely because those with lower digital skills spend less time online altogether and may be more cautious in their online activities.…”

How teens negotiate privacy on social media proactively and reactively

“…However, no association with perceived vulnerability and privacy behavior has been found (Lwin et al, 2012). With students aged 9–16 years, Teimouri et al (2018) reveal that perceived severity is negatively related to exposure to on line risks, including personal data misuse. Instead, perceived vulnerability bears no relationship with this (Teimouri et al, 2018).…”