Video games, parental mediation and gender socialization

Abstract

The study examines the parental perception of the use of video games by their preadolescent children, as well as parental beliefs, mediation practices and difficulties they encounter. In total, 186 parents have participated. The results, gathered in the quantitative and qualitative phase, reveal differences in parental perception according to the age and sex of their children; parents have more negative than positive beliefs about video games and use more strategies based on control than on support and communication. In parents’ opinion, the difficulties for mediation are related to the precocity to which they access the media and Internet, social pressure, uncontrollability and the digital divide. The paper concludes with implications for the educational intervention aimed to respond to parents’ concerns and needs for information and training.