Amman, Nov. 18 (Petra) - A study conducted by Save the Children Jordan revealed that 15.8 percent of children aged 10 to 17 have been exposed to some form of digital abuse, which includes bullying, hacking of digital accounts, and blackmail.

The findings of the study, released on the occasion of World Children's Day, which falls on November 20, highlighted a significant awareness gap among parents, with approximately 75 percent of parents unaware that their children had been exposed to digital violence.

The report also noted a decline in the use of parental control applications, with only 9 percent of parents employing these tools, while most relied on educating their children to mitigate digital risks.

Dana Erekat, CEO of Save the Children Jordan, emphasized the importance of addressing children's digital experiences, citing the increasing risks as children spend more time online, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study results contribute to Save the Children's Children's Digital Rights and Safety Project, implemented in partnership with the National Council for Family Affairs. This initiative aims to develop a national plan to ensure children's digital rights and safety.

The study revealed that 76.7 percent of children in the 10-17 age group access the internet daily, with usage reaching 86.5 percent in the 16-17 age group. No significant differences were found between boys and girls in terms of internet usage. While 57.4 percent of parents focus on educating their children about safe internet practices, only 9 percent use parental control applications, and 7.8 percent block inappropriate websites.

Cyberbullying was found to be largely perpetrated by individuals known to the victims, such as friends, schoolmates, or even relatives, with chat rooms in online games emerging as a common source of verbal bullying.

The study also identified YouTube as the most frequently used platform (22.6 percent), followed by Instagram, Facebook, educational platforms, and search engines (12 percent each).

Recommendations from the study included increasing parental awareness and intervention. While 35.6 percent of parents favored cutting off internet access or confiscating devices, 23.5 percent suggested preemptively blocking inappropriate websites. Additionally, 15.2 percent of parents supported using safer applications and parental control programs.

The study also called for the development of innovative awareness programs, including animated films, digital influencers, and youth-led initiatives within schools to address digital violence.

The research used a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analysis alongside a review of previous literature.

//Petra// AO

18/11/2024 15:02:51