The internet's widespread use, especially among young people, presents both opportunities and risks. While offering educational and social benefits, it also exposes children to dangers like cyberbullying, grooming, and harmful content. This disparity in internet access is globally pronounced, with significant differences between developed and developing nations. In Ghana, while prior studies exist, they often lack national representativeness or comprehensive analysis of supervision. This study aimed to address this gap by examining internet usage, access methods, and the level of parental supervision among a nationally representative sample of Ghanaian children aged 8–17. The research questions focused on the prevalence of internet use, access methods, and the extent of supervision during internet usage.

Existing literature highlights the dual nature of internet use among children. While it offers valuable educational tools and social interaction opportunities, it also presents considerable risks including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online grooming. Studies show a correlation between regular internet use and the development of internet addiction, exposure to pornography, and problematic internet usage (PIU). The lack of adequate parental supervision is a significant concern, particularly in developing countries where monitoring children's online activities is challenging. Previous research in Ghana has primarily focused on specific groups (school-going youth) and lacked national representativeness, leading to a need for a more comprehensive, nationally representative study.

This cross-sectional study utilized secondary quantitative and qualitative data collected by the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) between April and October 2018. The data encompassed various aspects of children's lives, including internet and social media use. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, selecting 43 districts, 15 enumeration areas per district, and then interviewing children aged 8–17 within selected households. The quantitative data involved 5024 children, while the qualitative data included 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 92 children and 50 key informant interviews. Quantitative data analysis used SPSS version 26, employing frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests to analyze socio-demographic characteristics and internet usage patterns. Factor analysis was performed to explore relationships between variables. Qualitative data analysis used NVivo version 10, applying the constant comparison method to identify themes related to internet access, usage, and supervision. Ethical considerations included informed consent from children, parents, and guardians, ensuring anonymity and adhering to ethical standards. The study received approval from the National Child Protection Committee of MoGCSP.

The study revealed that 90.5% of children aged 8–17 had used the internet. Smartphones (45.7%), internet cafés (21.7%), and laptops/computers (21.6%) were the most common access points. No significant differences were found in internet usage based on sex, age, education, religion, or region. However, a significant portion of children (56.7%) reported receiving little or no supervision while using the internet, primarily on smartphones. Qualitative data supported these findings, emphasizing the affordability and convenience of smartphones as a primary access method. Children reported using the internet for various activities, including social media (90%), messaging (90%), schoolwork (88%), gaming (87%), downloading media (85%), and research (77%). Significant differences in internet use were noted between genders for specific activities (music/video download, research, gaming), with males showing higher usage. Qualitative data also highlighted inadequate parental supervision, often due to parents' busy schedules or lack of technical knowledge to monitor online activity. In contrast, schools and internet cafes were found to implement more effective supervision strategies.

The high prevalence of internet use among Ghanaian children, coupled with the significant lack of supervision, raises concerns about potential risks. The reliance on smartphones as the main access point emphasizes the need for targeted interventions promoting responsible digital citizenship. The discrepancy between supervised internet use in schools/internet cafes versus the lack of supervision at home points to the need for educational programs directed at parents, addressing technical knowledge gaps and promoting effective monitoring strategies. While age and educational level were found to positively correlate with internet usage, it is crucial that this access is coupled with education on safe internet practices. Further research should explore strategies to educate both children and parents on the risks and responsible use of the internet.

This study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to improve digital literacy and online safety among Ghanaian children. Educational programs should target both children and parents, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the internet safely. Future research could focus on developing culturally relevant interventions, evaluating the effectiveness of parental monitoring tools, and assessing the long-term impact of unsupervised internet use on children's well-being.

This study's cross-sectional design limits the establishment of causality between variables. The reliance on self-reported data may also introduce recall bias. Despite these limitations, the study's use of nationally representative data offers valuable insights into internet usage patterns and supervision practices in Ghana.