Early Adolescents and Exposure to Risks Online: What Is the Role of Parental Mediation Styles?

Studies indicate that early adolescents are exposed to several online risks. Furthermore, early adolescents with Special Educational Needs (SENs) often experience emotional, social, or family difficulties, which increase their vulnerability to online risks. We aimed to investigate whether parental mediation styles regarding children’s Internet use moderate the risk for early adolescents in general and early adolescents with SENs in particular. One hundred and nineteen Italian parents (90.8% female) of children aged 11–15, 34% with a diagnosis associated with SENs, completed self-report measures assessing their children’s exposure to online risks and their parental mediation styles. In addition, 70 early adolescents (43.7% female; 39.4% with an SEN diagnosis) completed measures of social adjustment. Using moderation regression analyses, we examined the associations of parental mediation style, social adjustment, and SEN status with exposure to online risks. The findings highlighted how high levels of active parental mediation were associated with a significant reduction in online risks for adolescents with higher social adjustment. Follow-up analyses indicate, even if marginally, that this effect influences regards, in particular, adolescents with SENs. These results highlight the relevance of both individual social adaptation skills and parental mediation in reducing online risks among early adolescents, particularly those with SENs. Therefore, preventive interventions should not only target the development of youth competencies but also provide guidance and support for parents.