Lived Experiences of Parents with Adolescent Victims in Cyberspace

Abstract

Purpose: In the current era, cyberspace has become one of the most concerning issues that can influence the social and psychological world of humans, leading to adverse outcomes for them. A phenomenon that has recently attracted the attention of parents, researchers, and experts is the victimization of adolescent girls in cyberspace. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to identify the factors affecting victimization in cyberspace among adolescent girls, based on the lived experiences of their parents. Methodology: The research method was qualitative and conducted through thematic analysis. The statistical population included parents of female students victimized in cyberspace in secondary school during the 2023-2024 academic year in the city of Isfahan, and the sampling method was purposive. To collect the factors affecting victimization in cyberspace among adolescent girls, semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents, and theoretical saturation was achieved after interviewing 16 parents. In this study, the Guba and Lincoln (1985) method was employed for validating the findings. Data analysis (coding and theme identification) conducted with MAXQDA software for thematic analysis. Findings: In this study, 17 basic themes based on mothers' lived experiences and 19 basic themes based on fathers' lived experiences were extracted. From these basic themes, 8 organizing themes were identified: innate characteristics, lack of skills, dependence on the internet, absence of friendly and intimate family relationships, economic pressure, lack of interest in education, and cyber literacy, which were categorized under 3 overarching themes: individual, familial, and environmental. Conclusion: The study's findings highlight the complex interplay between individual, family, and environmental factors influencing teenage girls' vulnerability in cyberspace. Addressing these factors holistically, through supportive family relationships, educational initiatives, and enhanced digital literacy, is crucial for safeguarding adolescents against online risks.