Two-Thirds of Andorran Families Lack Digital Device Rules for Kids

Andorra's education authorities have found that two-thirds of families lack rules governing children's use of digital devices, based on a survey of 428 parents—35% of school families—conducted from 30 June to 10 September 2024. The findings, the third in a series after polls of students and teachers, were presented this week by Xavier Campuzano, director of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Technology, alongside Joan Micó, sociology group coordinator at Andorra Recerca + Innovació.

Only one-third of parents reported accompanying children during device use, despite 44% of students saying they received such oversight. Campuzano attributed the discrepancy to parents' limited digital skills, with the ministry now focusing on training programs—supported by 56.5% of families, while 22% showed no interest.

Parental controls vary widely: 48.9% use internet content filters, 32.7% apply app blockers, and 38.5% set time limits. Some 43.2% restrict computer access by activity or schedule, and 35.8% do the same for gaming consoles. Students, however, reported filters on just 23% of devices, a gap Campuzano linked to adolescents' unawareness and survey biases. Meanwhile, 46.7% of parents felt fully aware of their children's online activities, with 45.6% only partially informed, and 66% viewed teens as unable to self-regulate screen time.

Overuse perceptions are common. Between 54.4% and 66.6% of parents deemed their children's screen time excessive, with 55-61% applying the same to their own habits, particularly on social media and gaming. This matches views from 61% of students and 72% of teachers. In classrooms, 64.2% of students found device time appropriate, though both groups noted drawbacks like distractions, reduced concentration, and interruptions—offset by gains in motivation, autonomy, participation, and communication.

Health concerns affect about one in five families, with 21-21.4% reporting issues mainly tied to sleep disruption from late-night gaming or phone use, rather than addiction, Campuzano explained. Additionally, 30-30.7% noted exposure to age-inappropriate content, and 8.9% cited cyberbullying.

Campuzano described regulating social media for under-16s as an "endless race" against tech workarounds, industry pushback, and parental reluctance—many having already granted access. School devices enforce effective restrictions, but Andorra Telecom's parental control SIM has seen limited uptake, possibly due to poor awareness. Micó announced a follow-up family survey next month to explore these challenges further. The ministry plans to expand digital literacy and AI training.

Unicef Andorra's director, Dàmaris Castellanos, warned that outright bans on social media for under-16s may not improve protection, favouring comprehensive strategies including regulation, education, platform responsibility, and youth involvement over rigid age limits.

A recent panel in Sant Julià de Lòria, part of the 'Parlem-ne' series organised by the local council, gathered police cybercrime expert Ferran Jordan, data protection head Jèssica Obiols, Unicef's Castellanos, and psychiatrist Maria Giró from SAAS child services. They highlighted family roles in preventing image misuse, privacy breaches, and hidden online risks like AI-generated content and underreported cyberbullying—denunciations rose from 10 to 52 last year per the Childhood Observatory, though fear and shame create "dark figures" of unreported cases. Experts urged more parental training amid peer pressure to provide phones early.