ONLINE RISKS AND THEIR PREVENTION AS A SUBJECT MATTER OF CURRENT PARENTHOOD

Abstract

The aim of this article is to focus on a risky behaviour in cyber environment and its prevention as the family’s point of view. The family is often not only the actor who should solve the problem, but it is also often the participant in creating this risky phenomenon. It is the task of the family to react on changes in the society and to develop competence to perform the prevention. The research introduced below presents partial results of the research focusing on parent awareness of online risks. The main problem focusing on parent awareness of risky behaviour of their children was set for the research, as well as their awareness of practical implementation of prevention at schools, including the concerns parents frequently have. A quantitative research strategy was chosen. It was decided to use a questionnaire including a knowledge part as the most appropriate method. Parents who have at least one child attending a primary school represent the target of observation. The results of the research can be found in this article. Parents consider prevention of risky phenomena in cyberspace difficult. They are hopeless as cyberspace represents a new world for them which they sometimes do not understand to the extent their children do. Parents are aware of the risks, but they do not know cyberspace. On the other hand, children know cyberspace, but they do not know the risks. Teachers must be very flexible in dealing with new cyberspace risks.