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PARENTS' VIEWS ON RISKY ONLINE BEHAVIORS AND POSITIVE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AMONG HONG KONG EARLY ADOLESCENTS

With the increasing use of technology in the 21st century, most people must access the Internet every day, and the new generation of young people has even greater access to the Internet than previous generations had. This study investigated parents’ views on risky online behaviors and positive technological development (PTD) among early adolescents in Hong Kong. Additionally, it explored the influence of parenting styles on the Internet use of early adolescents. The sample consisted of 11 parents from six families (five fathers and six mothers) whose children were 11- to 15-year-old adolescents from six secondary schools. This study used semi-structured interviews to elicit the parents’ views and conducted thematic analysis to analyze the interview data. The results indicate that early adolescents participated in few risky online behaviors but exhibited significant PTD. Three relationships, which were mediated by a variety of factors, such as personal interests and peer influence, were identified between risky online behaviors and PTD. Parents limiting their children’s online activity often led to their children refusing to share the Internet content they consume with their parents. When parents allowed their children to use the Internet without any restrictions, the children either indulged in or self-regulated their Internet use. The parenting styles of the parents in each family were consistent. However, the mothers generally spent more time with their children than did the fathers and were more familiar with their children’s Internet use habits. Herein, we propose some specific suggestions for schools and parents to reduce adolescents’ online risk-taking and promote PTD.