Revelatory Ethics

Revelatory Ethics

Exploring technological approaches and methods of digital parenting

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hossein Rezaei 1
seyed hesam aldin hosseini 2
seyed mohammad hosseini 3
1 Ph.D. student of moral philosophy of Qom University
2 PhD in Muslim Social Sciences, Baqirul Uloom University
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Ethics, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
10.22034/re.2026.582230.2172
Abstract
The institution of the family in the digital age faces unprecedented challenges in raising a new generation. This study analyzes the fundamental conflict between the moral imperative to protect children from online dangers (such as inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and cybercrime) and the negative educational consequences of using technological control tools (such as privacy violations and weakening of independence). The main question of the research is how technological solutions can serve effective and ethical parenting. Using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on qualitative content analysis of library resources, this study explains the principles, advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of these tools within the framework of a "care" rather than a "police" approach. The findings suggest that successful use of these tools depends on adherence to the following ethical principles: (1) informing the child about how and why monitoring is being conducted, (2) matching the level of monitoring to the child’s maturity and developmental capabilities, and (3) transparency and disclosure of the monitoring process. This study provides a comprehensive and practical classification of technological solutions in four layers of defense (device, network, operating system, and application). Finally, it is concluded that the effectiveness of these tools depends more on the prevailing parenting style than on the nature of the technology. In the desired model of “authoritative parenting,” these tools are used not as an end in themselves, but as a means to facilitate dialogue, empower, and guide the child toward self-control and responsible digital citizenship.
Keywords
Digital parenting
parental control
parenting styles
technology ethics
digital citizenship
media literacy
Subjects
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