Podcast : What is Positive Parenting in the Digital Age?

As screens shape children’s lives, parenting moves into the digital world. And parents grapple with navigating this space. 

A podcast recorded in Cambodia under our SCROL project shares vital insights from a Buddhist religious leader, a senior psychologist, a cyber security expert, a youth advocate and a parent.

Online child safety : The need of the hour

Over 300 million children in the world suffer online abuse. These dangers take the form of : 

• Online grooming, where predators manipulate emotional connections with children to exploit them
• Sexual extortion, where predators demand money threatening to expose explicit images 
• Spread of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) and use of AI to generate CSAM.

Children’s use of the internet is increasing at an alarming rate. Parents must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to ensure their children can be safe. 

A multifaceted expert panel podcast under our SCROL project in Cambodia discusses how parents can navigate these challenges with insights applicable in country-level and the global context.

Here are some positive practices discussed :

Positive Parenting Behaviours

Buddhist religious leader Kou Sopheap mentions that parents are the first teachers, protectors and role models for their children. Therefore parents must be careful about what behaviours children learn from them.

“Now the children come and tell me that my mom, at 1:00 or 2:00 a.m., she is still scrolling and not resting”, mentions the venerable teacher. 

It is critical that parents set good examples for their children in terms of online use; replacing their screen time with quality family time as much as possible.

Ms Chhorn Rada, the psychologist highlights the importance of not practicing fear-based parenting. This further pushes the child into a shell. 

“Positive parenting means educating children with love, not anger”, she says “If parents start blaming their children, they will not come and talk to them the next time”, she adds, stressing how emotionally-supportive parental response is critical. She explains the importance of visibly demonstrating understanding and assurance to your child; that you are there for them, no matter what.

Positive parenting means educating children with love, not anger

— Ms Chhorn Rada, Senior Psychologist

Parental Awareness

Mr Chea Naro, the cyber security expert from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, explains how parents need to build familiarity with technology to best leverage protection.

“All phones already have limiting and safety functions, but parents don’t know how to use them”, he mentions stressing the importance in making the effort to learn about privacy settings and functions.

He even lays emphasis on monitoring children’s internet use and limiting screentime. 

Ms Chhorn Rada further adds, “We must not allow any screen time for children under three years of age. This delays their speech and language development.”

Adults must step in and take action

— Mearodey, Youth Advocate

Reporting abuse

The conversation also steers towards the importance of reporting online harm and abuse. 

“Adults must step in and take action”, says Ms. Mearodey, youth advocate, in the context of reporting.

She further explains that reporting is not only about one child, but about preventing further abuse and holding perpetrators accountable. Mearodey highlights that many cases go unreported because children and families are afraid of judgement, blame, or social consequences.

As a parent, DJ Nana talks about how parents may not always know the process of reporting, highlighting a gap in knowledge.

“We are confused about what to do first. We need to know that reporting will help, not harm our child”, she says, calling for institutional child protection systems to be more child-friendly.