Do online parenting blogs discourage psychological maltreatment and corporal punishment?

This study assessed the quality of information about corporal punishment (CP) and psychological maltreatment (PM) offered in 236 on-line parenting blogs. Results revealed that fewer than 15% of posts made an unambiguous statement against CP, explained that it was harmful and/or ineffective, cited research evidence against its use, or countered reasons for its use. Not one post mentioned all six types of PM and the most common forms were mentioned by fewer than one third. Human service professionals should be aware that many online parenting resources are unlikely to warn parents against these harmful parenting behaviors.