Intergenerational gaps in digital understanding and skills in Palestinian society in Israel

The research dealt with intergenerational gaps in the use of digital technology in Palestinian society in Israel and its influence on relations between parents and their children. 120 parents from the center of the country participated in the study and one of the children (male or female) from each couple. Findings indicate the existence of inter-generational gaps in the ways in which the Internet is used between parents and children. Additionally, there are differences in the users' self-perception of their technological capabilities; adults attribute greater familiarity with the Internet to children, while they are not amenable to and have negative consideration towards the Internet in contrast to the children's views. This gap causes intergenerational tension harming the parents' authority and consequently stimulating parents' attempts to supervise the children's use of the Internet. The children see the Internet as an intimate space for activity relatively free from parental supervision.