Young Canadians in a Wired World, Phase III: Talking to Youth and Parents about Life Online

This report sets out the findings of an exploratory qualitative research study that examined the attitudes and experiences of children, youth and parents relating to networked communications technologies. Using a semi-structured interview guide, we conducted 12 focus group sessions in Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa, with young people ages 11-17 and with parents of children and youth ages 11-17.  A total of 66 young people and 21 parents participated in this research. Results indicate a generation of adults who have become hyper-vigilant about young people’s online lives and a generation of youth who are navigating “life in the fishbowl” when it comes to their digital experiences. The findings set the stage for a national survey of students in 2013.

Young Canadians in a Wired World, Phase III: Talking to Youth and Parents about Life Online was made possible by financial contributions from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

About Young Canadians in a Wired World

Initiated in 2000 by MediaSmarts, Young Canadians in a Wired World (YCWW) is the most comprehensive and wide-ranging study of children’s and teens’ Internet use in Canada. Phase I and Phase II of this ongoing research project – which tracks and investigates the behaviours, attitudes and opinions of Canadian children and youth with respect to their use of the Internet – were conducted in 2001 and 2005. In 2011, MediaSmarts launched Phase III of the YCWW study with qualitative research comprising interviews with teachers from across Canada and focus groups with children and youth and parents, followed by a national classroom survey in 2013.