MEGATRENDS AND MEDIA

MEGATRENDS AND MEDIA
45% of fathers). Possible explanations for these differences can be the
desired image of the “good parent” or the fact that children would be
happier if they were involved in such discussions more often.
Table 4
Family member who usually decides on activities children are allowed to
do regarding TV and PC (in %)
Comparison of parents’ and children´s responses (in %)
Responses of
mothers fathers children
Mother 19.9 14.7 28.3
Father 1.8 4.0 7.1
Both parents 27.9 36.3 22.1
Discussion with one parent 18.9 21.6 22.7
Joint discussion of all members 31.6 23.5 16.1
Source: own processing
Further, 25% of children reported that parents check regularly whether
they obey the rules for the use of computer and television. 16% of children
said that their parents never control them and these were mainly older
children. The dependence between parental control and children´s age
was statistically signiicant (p < 0.001). Older children were controlled
less than younger children.
Children also responded to be banned from media activities as a form
of punishment; the ban on the use of computers was more frequent (in
38.3% of cases compared to television - 25.2%). Most of the children
said that their parents do not reward them for complying with the rules
associated with the use of the media devices.
Moreover, we asked the question of whether parents talk to children
about their activities on PC, programs on TV, etc.; 4.7% of children said
that parents always ask them, while 8.8% of children said that they never
ask them.
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