میزان آگاهی والدین نسبت به حفاظت از حریم خصوصی کودکان در شبکه‌های اجتماعی مجازی به‌عنوان یک آسیب اجتماعی نوظهور

جعفر زلفعلی فام

Authors

Jafar Zolfalifam Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4255-4557

Keywords:

Emerging social harms, children’s privacy, virtual social networks, parental awareness, media literacy, parental education

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine parents’ awareness of protecting children’s privacy in virtual social networks and to determine the roles of parental education, media literacy, awareness level, and gender in the protection of children’s digital privacy.

Methodology: This applied, cross-sectional survey study was conducted among parents residing in Maragheh who had at least one child under 18 years of age using the Internet and virtual social networks. The study sample comprised 325 mothers and fathers selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using the standardized Social Network Privacy Concerns Questionnaire and a researcher-developed questionnaire designed to assess parental awareness of protecting children’s privacy in virtual social networks. The reliability of the instruments was examined using Cronbach’s alpha, and construct validity was used to evaluate their validity. Data were analyzed in SPSS using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the independent-samples t-test.

Findings: One-way ANOVA indicated a significant difference in the protection of children’s privacy according to fathers’ educational level (F=4.571, p=.01), with higher education associated with greater protection. A significant difference was also found across mothers’ educational levels (F=13.320, p<.001). Parental media literacy was significantly associated with children’s privacy protection (F=3.809, p=.02), indicating greater protection among parents with higher levels of media literacy. Furthermore, significant differences were observed according to parents’ overall awareness levels (F=4.593, p=.01), with greater awareness corresponding to stronger privacy protection. The independent-samples t-test also showed a significant gender difference (t=-3.688, p<.001), with men demonstrating a higher level of awareness and reported protection of children’s privacy than women.

Conclusion: Higher parental education, greater media literacy, and increased awareness are associated with more effective protection of children’s privacy in virtual social networks. Accordingly, strengthening parental media literacy and providing systematic education on digital risks, privacy settings, and children’s digital rights may constitute effective strategies for preventing emerging social harms and promoting safer online environments for children.

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