Children and Digital Wellbeing in Australia: Online regulation,conduct and competence

This article contributes to the study of children and the internet by reporting on findings from an ethnographic study of children's online use, experience and regulation in Melbourne, Australia. As part of a social inclusion study of technology use, we worked with children and their families in the contexts of everyday and home internet use. This article begins by identifying age-related gaps in the literature on children's online risks, and then moves on to a discussion of the research findings relating to children's online mediation, conduct and competence. By developing a concept of digital wellbeing the article argues that rather than focus only on risk protection measures, it is important to equip children with the knowledge and skills to be active, ethical and critical participants online.     

Trends in adolescent alcohol use in the Netherlands, 1992–2015: Differences across sociodemographic groups and links with strict parental rule-setting

BackgroundFrom an international perspective, studying trends in adolescent alcohol use in the Netherlands is an important case study. Whereas Dutch adolescents topped the international rankings of alcohol consumption in the beginning of this century, they are nowadays found more toward the bottom of these rankings. This study examines time trends in adolescent alcohol use between 1992 and 2015, and tests whether these trends differ according to gender, age group, and educational track. Moreover, it examines to what extent the strictness of parental rule-setting can explain the identified trends.MethodsUsing data from ten waves of two nationally representative studies with a repeated cross-sectional design, trends were examined for eight different alcohol measures. Interaction analyses were conducted to test for subgroup differences. All analyses were controlled for educational track, family structure, and ethnicity. For the period 2007–2015, trends in parental alcohol-specific rule-setting were included as a predictor of the trends in adolescent alcohol use.ResultsAdolescent alcohol use increased substantially between 1992 and 2003, and decreased sharply thereafter. Trends were stronger for 12- to 15-year olds, compared to the 16-year olds, and for adolescents attending higher educational tracks, compared to adolescents attending lower educational tracks. Overall, gender differences remained constant over time. Between 2007 and 2015, strict parental alcohol-specific rule-setting increased substantially, and this (partly) explained the strong decline in adolescent alcohol use during this period.ConclusionThis study shows clear time trend changes in alcohol use among Dutch adolescents. The phenomenal decrease in adolescent alcohol use since 2003 appears to be closely related to a radical change in parenting behaviours surrounding the alcohol use of their children. While national prevention programs may have encouraged stricter parenting behaviours, the decline in alcohol use should be interpreted in a broader context of internationally changing sociocultural norms regarding adolescent alcohol use.     

Parental influence on academic achievement among the primary school students in Trinidad

The present study examined the level of parental influence on academic achievement in primary school students who prepare for the National-level test at standard five (grade 6), Secondary Entrance Examinations in Trinidad. A sample of 128 students studying standard five from primary schools was randomly selected. The data were analysed using SPSS. The findings of the study revealed that regardless of parental educational status, all parents try to influence their children to study well. The results showed that there was a positive influence on academic achievement in students. The findings of the study were discussed and implications for future research have been proposed. The study highlighted several recommendations to mitigate the effects of academic anxiety and suggested some measures to be taken by the parents, teachers, peers and social workers to successfully navigate this phase of life marked by transition and search for identity.     

Psychosocial health concerns among service-seeking orphans in the slums of Kampala

Orphans have many unmet needs. The purpose of the current study is to briefly examine the psychosocial correlates linked to being an orphan among service-seeking youth in the slums of Kampala in order to provide guidance for service provision for youth. The current analysis is based on a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2011 which consisted of a convenience sample of youth living in the slums (ages 14–24 years) attending a drop-in center, Uganda Youth Development Link. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to determine psychosocial correlates with being an orphan. Among the youth participants (N = 444), 23.65% (n = 105) reported both of their parents died, 37.39% (n = 166) reported one parent died, and the remaining 38.96% (n = 173) reported both of their parents are living. In the multivariable model, reporting both parents dead was significantly associated with being a female (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27, 6.12) and parental abuse (AOR: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.27). A large percentage of youth living in the slums of Kampala are orphans. This study presents important findings that inform interventions and policies that can be targeted toward the dire needs of youth living in the streets and slums of Kampala.     

Therapy by written communication

A case of marital and sexual therapy using behavioural techniques was concluded using written communication. It was a successful and cost-effective intervention.