Child discipline in Qatar: Media challenges

Objectives: Our study aimed to explore the nature and extent of child discipline in Qatar using the ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tools (ICASTs) for mothers and youth. The role of the Internet and social media (ISM) in the... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives: Our study aimed to explore the nature and extent of child discipline in Qatar using the ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tools (ICASTs) for mothers and youth. The role of the Internet and social media (ISM) in the upbringing of Qatari children was raised as a possible factor in child discipline.

Method: The qualitative phase of the study sampled: 10 Qatari mothers, 10 girls and 10 boys recruited from primary health centers for individual interviews and focus groups. Interview participants were asked a series of general questions about child rearing, their attitudes and opinions on child discipline and abuse using ICASTs. Focus groups were conducted post-interviews for feedback on debated questions. Responses were transcribed, translated and coded using Atlas.Ti.

Results: Interviews provided data on the Impact of ISM (positive and negative) on childhood. Mothers explained that ISM provide a wide range of information: they may portray other cultures that clash with Qatari traditions and influence their children’s beliefs; and some programs with adult content, may harm and spoil children by affecting their behavior or result in premature sexual awareness. Youth agreed that increased use and access to ISM with inappropriate programs affect children’s innocence. Conversely, parents found that withholding access to ISM was a successful form of discipline to improve their child’s behavior. Youth agreed that withholding access to ISM is preferred to hitting as a method of discipline. ISM also helped parents become more open to allowing children to pursue different career options previously viewed as taboo, reducing some parent-child conflict.

Conclusion: Qatari mothers appear to consider the media both problematic and useful in modifying their children’s behavior. Further study is required. Meantime control and supervision of children’s access to different media and its judicious use as a discipline tool is advised.