Parents’ surveillance and control of children’s smartphones

Since the mobile phone and internet access first became more widespread the social research communities looking at these technologies have built up a substantial literature on how they are both experienced by children and young people. This research includes studies of the concerns parents have about these technologies, and how the latter try to manage their children’s use. The advent of the smartphone has in many ways combined elements of these previously separate technologies: while the smartphone is still a phone, it also supports mobile use of the internet and various media. In which case, in what ways do older parental concerns, parental mediation strategies and children’s responses to these interventions carry over to this newer technology and to what extent do new issues emerge in this respect? This chapter draws on a recent multi-culture Europe study to explore these questions. It first sets the scene by summarising key themes from the mobile phone and internet research on children, before drawing on qualitative interviews with children and parents to explore the continuities and differences now that children are using smartphones.