Estonian children's internet usage similar to Eastern, Southeastern Europe - study

Photo: SCANPIX

The internet usage of Estonian children is similar to that of the Eastern and Southeastern European countries but clearly differs from the Nordic countries' children's usage, a report of the international EU Kids Online research network shows.

The network analyzed the web activities of 9- to 16-year-old children in 25 European countries.

According to the report that was prepared with the participation of researchers of the University of Tartu (UT), internet habits place Estonian children in the same group as their Polish, Czech, Romanian, Bulgarian and Cypriot coevals, being significantly different from the children living in the Nordic countries.

Estonian children and those in several Eastern and Southeastern European countries are characterized by the major significance of online entertainment, especially online games, the relatively high scope of experiencing risks and damage, and huge differences in parental guidance practices.

Compared to previous analyses, this report underlines linkage patterns between the different facets of internet usage, professor of media studies at UT Veronika Kalmus explained. «It strikes the eye that a large part of Estonian children can in wandering around in the internet count on their parents' multilateral and active guidance, whereas about one third of parents are relatively passive.»

In her words this may reflect social differences, lack of dialogue between parents and school, and that raising awareness has not reached all target groups.

The rest of the countries are divided into three groups. The children of the four Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands are characterized by higher than average usage of social networks, more frequent experience of internet risks with a sexual hint and more active parental guidance. Also, the children in Lithuania, Austria, Hungary and Slovenia stand out by the usage of social media and experiencing related risks but their parents are significantly more passive in guiding their children than on the average.

In many Western and Southern European states -- Ireland, the UK, Belgium, Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Turkey -- parents tend to restrict and check the internet activities of their children. Although it helps to avoid risks it also limits children's capacity to participate in activities offered by the internet.

EU Kids Online stresses that differences between various countries are still less significant than inside the states themselves. Although the newly-published report gives an overview of 25 European states' position in international comparison and enables to learn from best practices, it is still necessary to take into account the special cultural background of each country in policy-making.