Children’s narratives of child-parent conflicts over digital devices: A relational, generational approach to children as social actors, agency and power
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Project description
This research explores how children of different ages narrate and make sense of child–parent conflicts over the use of digital devices such as phones, tablets, and game consoles. Digital devices are a central part of children’s everyday lives, yet they are also one of the most common sources of tension within families. By listening to children’s own narratives, the project seeks to understand how the children’s agency, power, and supporting resources are portrayed in digital conflict narratives, and how these vary by age and gender.
The study applies participatory narrative methods to investigate children’s understandings in age‑ and development‑appropriate ways. The research focuses on three age groups: 3–6, 7–9, and 10–12‑year‑old children. Previously collected data from 3–6‑year‑olds (Lahtinen, 2025, doctoral dissertation) and 10–12‑year‑olds (VALTAKO project) will be used in the analysis, and new data will be collected with 7–9‑year‑olds.
By examining children’s perspectives, the research aims to identify more effective ways to support conflict resolution, enhance child–parent interaction, and promote children’s overall well‑being. The findings can inform decision-making across various societal contexts in which decisions related to the well‑being of children and families are made and can support the development of policies, services, and education.
The project will be carried out at the University of Jyväskylä in 2025–2026 and is funded by the Ella and Georg Ehrnrooth Foundation.
