Communication and Media Codes Journal

A JOURNAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

ISSN: 3093-0693

PARENTAL MEDIATION STRATEGIES IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Prof. Jude Terna Kur, PhD, FACCE,
Ms. Josephine Nyiekula
Dr. Bala Muhammad Dalhatu

Abstract

Parental mediation explains the intervention of parents in children’s media use with the motive of minimising risks and maximising benefits associated with the use. Over the years, parental mediation research has focused on children’s use of traditional and digital media such as television, video games, social media, smartphones, internet, etc. The research shows that parents use a number of approaches such as active, restrictive, co-use, active co-use, interaction restrictions, technical restrictions, and monitoring in mediating children’s use of these media. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has presented a more complex technology consumption experience, especially with the children. It is said to be the single most influential technology on the future of today’s children. Children’s experience with AI is largely characterized by para-social relationship between them and non-human characters. The para-social relationship is in the form of attachment, character personification, and social realism. This relationship has presented both risks and opportunities more than seen in children’s experience with non AI technologies, thereby raising the pertinent question: Are the existing parental mediation approaches still relevant in mediating children’s use of AI technologies? This paper, a library research, attempts an answer to this question. It identifies children’s experiences with AI technologies, pointing out the opportunities and risks associated with the experiences. It goes on to examine the existing and emerging parental mediation strategies and analyses their relevance in mediating children’s use of AI technologies. On this basis, the paper proposes relevant parental mediation strategies for children’s use of AI technologies. The proposed strategies include active, restrictive, co-use, participatory learning, active co-use, interaction restrictions, technical mediation, monitoring, balancing mediation, ad hoc mediation, permissive mediation, authoritarian surveillance, non-intrusive inspection, and AI-based tools, as an extension of technical mediation. It is suggested that future research should test these strategies empirically to ascertain their effectiveness. Key words: Artificial Intelligence, AI Technologies, Children, Media, Parental Mediation
Volume:
Vol. 2. January, 2025
Year of Publication:
2025

Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief

Prof. Michael O. Ukonu

Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Dr Blessing Chinweobo-Onuoha

Associate Editors

Prof. L.I. Anorue

Prof. J. Wogu

Prof. G. Ezeah

Prof. C.C. Okpoko

Review

Dr Chidiebere Nwachukwu

Dr Ozioma Nwokedi

Dr Victor Nwogbo

Dr Belinda Anyakoha

Dr Uchenna Eze

Dr Ike Ugbor

Secretary

Dr Stephen Ogbodoh

Design Editor

Dr Ike Elike

Business Manager

Dr Martin Ezugwu

Editorial Consultants

Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro, Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State

Professor Sunny Udezeh, Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State

Professor Ezekiel Asemah, Vice Chancellor’s Office, Glorious Vision University, Benin, Edo State

Professor Jude Terna Kur, Department of Information Science and Media Studies, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

Prof. Rotimi Williams Olatunji, School of Communications, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State

Prof Walter Ihejirika  

Dr. Chukwujekwu Charles Onwuka Department of Sociology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. Email: cc.onwuka@coou.edu.ng
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