Parents and Platforms

Research Focus

This lab investigates how digital media environments shape contemporary parenting cultures. We examine how parents, as both creators and consumers on platforms, navigate and shape platform dynamics. This impliescontextualizing parenting within a system of platform capitalism, influencer culture, and the increasingly intensified pressures of contemporary parenting culture. Our work transcends conventional boundaries such as theonline/offline divide, by investigating how platform dynamics also manifest in offline practices, sense-making, and decision-making. By doing so, our research explores how platforms create opportunities, such as connectionand support, but also vulnerabilities related to privacy, commercial exploitation, inequalities, normative pressures, and other concerns. Our ultimate goal is to provide care-oriented governance recommendations.   

Related projects 

• BOF Emma
• Onderzoek Elisabeth
• PhD Ellen
• BOF Gitte 

Lab Head

Emma Beuckels 

Contact: Emma.Beuckels@UGent.be