Cultural Transformations in Parents’ Handling of Child ICT Usage

Abstract

How should one encourage “a positive and quality usage of ICT” among students? Earlier work (Lam, June 2016) suggests that both “school and family partnership theory” and “mediation philosophy” are the keys to parents changing their attitude towards the handling of child ICT usage. Even so, what are the stages or processes of these transformation? This study reviews four models and theories (as described later) which predict people’s behavioural changes. Based on these, the author also recommends a “permeability model of changes” for depicting the parents’ alteration actions. Therefore, one can provide assistance, also known as – systemic therapy, immediately during the different stages or levels of change in the model. Hence, parents can successfully change their behaviour towards processing children’s ICT usage and in addition control these usage. Furthermore, this author also proposes that social, cultural and psychological factors of children’s ICT usage constitute a step approaching the philosophy of Digital Equity. These enhance the aim of the present research by – ultimately urging “a positive and quality usage of ICT” (Yuen et al., 2014: p.13) among students. The poor academic effects of using ICT for entertainment can therefore be eliminated. As a result, one can improve the scholarly achievements of students by using educational technology and can also bridge the digital divide in education.

Keywords: Behavour change, Philosophy of Digital Equity, Cultural Change

JEL Classification: I10