Utilitarianism and Deontology in Digital Parenting Ethics With a Philosophical Framework for Managing Online Gaming Time

This paper looks at how parents can manage children's online gaming time using two moral philosophies. Utilitarianism focuses on outcomes for the child's well-being, while deontology focuses on dignity, rights and agency. The authors argue that neither approach is enough alone. Using a method called reflective equilibrium, they propose a process that combines both, in which parents step back as the child grows and the child takes on more responsibility.

Key points

• Neither utilitarian nor deontological ethics alone gives a complete answer on managing children's gaming time.
• Utilitarianism centres on consequences and child well-being.
• Deontology centres on dignity, rights and agency.
• The proposed process adjusts parental involvement to the child's age and abilities, gradually handing responsibility to the child.
• The aim is self-regulation and responsible decision-making in digital settings while protecting the child's dignity and independence.

Limitations

The abstract describes a conceptual, philosophical framework and gives no data or testing of the proposed process with children or families. It does not say whether the work is specific to Iran, and the framework's effects on children are unknown.