Adolescents’ Online Risks and Parental Mediation in Nigerian Families: Gender in Focus

Abstract

This study investigates the gender perspectives of adolescents’ online risk-taking and parental mediation in Nigerian families. Because the “the-one size fits all” relating to effective mediation of adolescents’ digital media may not apply to adolescent boys and girls in the same way. Accounting for gender differences in digital media use that lead to risky behavioral outcomes will enhance parents’ efforts in interceding their online media activities. The population for this study includes parents and students in public secondary schools in Lagos, Nigeria. The sample size for this study was 1,050 parents and their children. The questionnaire was the data collection instrument to obtain information about adolescent online media activities and parental mediation practices. The study’s findings show that girls engage in chatting with strangers and social networking more than boys, and boys engage in online gambling, online gaming and pornographic content more than girls. The findings also show that the risky online behavior of adolescent girls correlates with increased time spent on online media activities. Interventions targeted at female adolescents relating to digital media use, online media activities and risky online behavior will enhance parental efforts in interceding in their risky behaviors.