Technology-Based Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Programs: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Child abuse and neglect is a widespread social problem. The prevalence of this problem threatens the present and future of children. Although various prevention programs have been proposed in the literature as a solution to the problem of child abuse and neglect, recently, technological applications have been increasingly used in prevention and intervention studies for abuse and neglect. This study aims to review the current literature on technologically assisted programs for preventing child abuse and neglect. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was used to identify eligible studies. 22 evidence-based studies with pretest-posttest control were included in the review. The reviewed programs were structured to educate parents, children, and various professionals on appropriate parenting skills and child abuse and neglect. In the studies reviewed, web/internet-based applications were mostly used and effectiveness evaluation studies were mainly conducted on parents. With the exception of one study, the programs were found to be effective following interventions for abuse and neglect, and cognitive and behavioral improvements were noted in parents, children, and other professionals. As a result, it can be said that technology-based prevention programs are accepted practices for child abuse and neglect. To date, however, there is little data to support the use of such studies in preventive practices and strategies. More studies are needed to test the effectiveness of technological applications in preventing abuse among children and adolescents.