Abstract:
This study aims to identify the role of the Saudi family in protecting children
from Internet risks. The study is based on a revised and refereed questionnaire
consisting of 26 sections. The questionnaire covers four main fields: the
social, psychological, religious and educational. The study sample consists
of 158 parents randomly chosen from Tabouk area. The study concludes that
the parents are aware of the social, educational, health, psychological and
religious risks that could result from the misuse of the internet. In addition,
it indicates that parents are keen on tracking and controlling the websites
visited by their children, and they educate them about the ethics of dealing
with the Internet especially in what contradicts the values and customs of
the Muslim Saudi Arabian community. Furthermore, Saudi parents strive to
maintain the stability of their families by engraving moral and educational
values in their children, especially under the impact of technology, such as
cultural and ideological openness which might lead to resist traditions. The
study also shows that the Saudi parents pay more attention to protecting their
children, especially females, from Internet risks since they are more prone to
harassment. The study recommends that there is a need to develop religious
and moral conscience among youth by holding seminars and lectures to
explain the positive and negative impact of using the Internet.