Empowering Parents in the Digital Age: Mitigating Social Media’s Impact on Youth Development

Using a representative sample of UK parents with children aged 10–15, we collect data on parenting strategies, beliefs about SM’s effects, and family characteristics. Our findings reveal that more educated parents tend to be stricter and more concerned about SM, with middle school emerging as a critical period of heightened parental worry. Moreover, parents’ beliefs about SM strongly influence their behaviors and their willingness to take preventive action. To test whether these beliefs can be influenced, we randomly assigned a subset of parents to receive evidence-based information on the risks of SM for children. The intervention increased parents’ intentions to act and support for SM-related school policies—but primarily among those who were already concerned. In the next phase, we will assess the impact of the intervention on actual parenting behaviors and child outcomes, as well as the effectiveness of a structured parenting training program. The ultimate aim is to provide actionable insights to support families and help protect children in the digital age.

About the speaker

Margaux is a Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science in the Department of Social Policy. She obtained her PhD in Economics from CY Cergy Paris University and ESSEC Business School. Her research focuses on two key areas: (1) understanding persistent gender inequalities and evaluating policy interventions to address these disparities, and (2) analyzing the influence of beliefs and cultural norms on educational, workplace, and economic outcomes.

Registration

If you are interested in a bilateral, or joining for lunch on Friday or dinner on Thursday, please send an email to boring@ese.eur.nl.