Understanding Parental Perceptions of Children’s Online Use in Australian Aboriginal Communities by Adapting Traditional Indigenous Practices

The rapid proliferation of digital media has significantly changed how children interact with the online world. However, within Australian Aboriginal communities, the impact of these technologies on children’s well-being and cultural identity remains relatively unexplored. This study aims to understand parental perceptions regarding children’s online use within these communities. Indigenous research methodologies emphasize community engagement, cultural protocols and reciprocal relationships between researchers and participants. By integrating these approaches into the study design, a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding children’s online use can be achieved while respecting the unique perspectives and voices of Aboriginal parents. This research in progress employs a qualitative approach, incorporating participatory action design research and yarning circles as key methods. Yarning circles are traditional Indigenous storytelling and knowledge-sharing forums that encourage open dialogue and collective decision-making. The data collected from the yarning circles will be analyzed thematically, identifying common themes, perspectives and concerns emerging from the discussions. The findings will shed light on parental perceptions of children’s online use, which will be utilized in an appropriate intervention to bridge parents’ and caregivers’ knowledge gaps.