Parenting in the digital age: urban black youth's perceptions about technology-based communication with parents

ABSTRACT

Given the high rates of cell phone and Internet usage among youth, technology is a promising method for improved parent–youth communication. However, little is known about how parents can effectively engage in technology-based communication with youth, particularly low-income urban minority youth. Eight focus groups with 82 low-income urban black youth (aged 14 to 22 years) provided information about perceptions of technology-based communication with parents. Youth in the focus groups reported that they preferred to use text messaging with their parents, as it afforded them control over the frequency and type of communication. Youth shared concerns about excessive/intrusive parental use of technology and invasions of privacy, suggesting potential barriers to effective technology-based parent–youth communication. The findings from this qualitative study indicate that using text messages with youth and setting guidelines for technology-based communication may enhance parent–youth communication while also respecting youth's increasing autonomy.

KEYWORDS:

• Parent–youth communication
• technology
• urban families
• minority youth
• qualitative research methods

Acknowledgements

We thank the study team, research assistants, and adolescents who participated in the focus groups as well as the Violence Prevention Writing Group for their comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. A preliminary version of this paper was presented at the Society for Research in Child Development biennial meeting, Philadelphia, PA, March 2015.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) [grant number T32 MH19545-21]; Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office for Genetics and Children with Special Healthcare Needs, and Health Research and Services Administration [grant number T32 HP1004].