# How internet use has transformed educational expectations in Chinese families

## TL;DR

This study shows how internet use in Chinese families increases parents' educational expectations for their children, especially in certain groups.

## Contribution

The study reveals how internet use influences educational expectations and highlights factors that moderate this effect.

## Key findings

- Internet use increases parents' educational aspirations for their children.
- The effect is stronger for older children, male parents, and rural families.
- Non-entertainment internet use and social interactions drive higher educational expectations.

## Abstract

In this study, we investigate the impact of Internet use on educational expectations in Chinese families, utilizing social cognition theory and survey data from 2018. Our findings reveal that Internet use elevates parents’ educational aspirations for their children. Furthermore, we observed that the influence of the Internet on these expectations varies and is more pronounced for older children, male parents, and families in rural areas. Besides, only using the Internet for non-entertainment purposes can promote parents’ educational expectations of their children. Additionally, parents boost their children’s educational expectations through enhanced social interactions facilitated by the Internet. These insights comprehensively evaluate the Internet’s effect on individual perceptions and suggest strategies for promoting educational equity in the digital age.