Hyper-Connected Youth:: The standpoint of families facing their children's virtual interaction

The purpose of this work, which is part of a wider research project, is to find out the perception of families with children between 12 and 18 years old regarding their virtual interactions. The risks associated with the use of technology and the Internet and the development of critical thinking in hyperconnected actions are considered, among with descriptions of the parental control patterns used by the families. A qualitative study has been carried, working through methodologies of discussion groups and in-depth interviews. The results show that families consider social networks and video games as the principal acting scenarios in minors. Also, they perceive the addiction to new technologies, loss of values or bullying as the mayor risks perceived on the net. Accordingly, families adopt parental control measures like punishments or removal of technological devices, as well as time management and connection schedules. Similarly, they highlight their concern in considering it necessary to develop their children's critical thinking in the face of hyperconnectivity.