Sonia Livingstone and Ellen J. Helsper examine parental mediation of children's Internet use, finding that parents use various strategies to manage their children's online activities. A national survey of 1,511 children and 906 parents revealed that 12–17-year-olds face online risks, and parents use strategies like active co-use and interaction rules, though these may not always reduce risks effectively. Parental restriction of peer-to-peer interactions was linked to reduced risk, while active co-use was not. The study challenges researchers to identify effective mediation strategies without limiting children's online freedom. The article discusses the concept of parental mediation, which includes rule-making, restrictions, and social co-viewing. As media environments become more complex, parental mediation is increasingly valued in public policy for protecting children from online risks. Parental mediation strategies are seen as ways to transmit family values and promote media literacy. However, the effectiveness of these strategies varies, and some may not reduce risks as intended. The study found that parents use a range of mediation strategies, including active co-use, interaction restrictions, technical restrictions, and monitoring. While active co-use is common, it may not always be effective in reducing risks. Technical restrictions and monitoring were also used, though their effectiveness was not always clear. The research also found that parental mediation was not consistently associated with reduced online risks, suggesting that other factors, such as the child's age, gender, and online skills, play a significant role. The study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between parental mediation and online risks, as well as the need for further research to identify effective strategies. While some mediation strategies may help reduce risks, others may not, and the effectiveness of these strategies can vary depending on the child's characteristics and the specific online risks involved. The findings suggest that parental mediation is not a guaranteed solution to online risks, and that other factors, such as the child's online skills and the nature of the risks, are also important. The study concludes that further research is needed to understand the complex relationship between parental mediation and online risks, and to develop effective strategies for protecting children online.Sonia Livingstone and Ellen J. Helsper examine parental mediation of children's Internet use, finding that parents use various strategies to manage their children's online activities. A national survey of 1,511 children and 906 parents revealed that 12–17-year-olds face online risks, and parents use strategies like active co-use and interaction rules, though these may not always reduce risks effectively. Parental restriction of peer-to-peer interactions was linked to reduced risk, while active co-use was not. The study challenges researchers to identify effective mediation strategies without limiting children's online freedom. The article discusses the concept of parental mediation, which includes rule-making, restrictions, and social co-viewing. As media environments become more complex, parental mediation is increasingly valued in public policy for protecting children from online risks. Parental mediation strategies are seen as ways to transmit family values and promote media literacy. However, the effectiveness of these strategies varies, and some may not reduce risks as intended. The study found that parents use a range of mediation strategies, including active co-use, interaction restrictions, technical restrictions, and monitoring. While active co-use is common, it may not always be effective in reducing risks. Technical restrictions and monitoring were also used, though their effectiveness was not always clear. The research also found that parental mediation was not consistently associated with reduced online risks, suggesting that other factors, such as the child's age, gender, and online skills, play a significant role. The study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between parental mediation and online risks, as well as the need for further research to identify effective strategies. While some mediation strategies may help reduce risks, others may not, and the effectiveness of these strategies can vary depending on the child's characteristics and the specific online risks involved. The findings suggest that parental mediation is not a guaranteed solution to online risks, and that other factors, such as the child's online skills and the nature of the risks, are also important. The study concludes that further research is needed to understand the complex relationship between parental mediation and online risks, and to develop effective strategies for protecting children online.