Breaking the Silence: Pakistani Media's Role in Shaping Parental Attitudes and Practices on Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

Abstract:
In an era of increasing accessibility to electronic media platforms in Pakistan, concerns about child exposure to harmful content, including child sexual abuse (CSA), have escalated.  This study investigates parental attitudes and practices in addressing CSA portrayal in Pakistani electronic media, aiming to develop effective strategies for protecting children. Understanding parental attitudes and practices is crucial to devise effective strategies for safeguarding children against such content. A study was conducted to investigate the difference in attitude, and practices towards the portrayal of child sexual abuse on HUM TV and private news channels among parents who are viewers and non-viewers. A mixed methods approach was employed, utilizing closed-ended surveys, gender-segregated focused group discussions, and semi-structured interviews with parents and stakeholders. Data was collected with a 95% confidence interval and a 5% margin of error, supplemented by an additional 10% sample to account for attrition and non-responsiveness. The study explores the level of parental monitoring of children’s media consumption and strategies employed to address CSA-related content. It also examines the perceived role of television, social media, and streaming services in exposing children to CSA. Through contributing to existing knowledge on parental attitudes and practices regarding CSA portrayal, the findings shed light on the challenges faced by parents and inform the development of targeted interventions, educational campaigns, and policies to safeguard children. It is anticipated that these research findings will serve as a catalyst for further initiatives aimed at protecting children from potential harm.