Normative affectivity as the foundation of domestic authority in the digital society

. From an interdisciplinary perspective, we studied whether or not the incorporation of Internet into the home is a reason for the decline in parental authority. Method. After comparing theoretical and legal sources using the hermeneutical analysis of five panel discussions among specialists in family mediation and edu-communication, we found that the “affective” factor is specifically relevant for testing the hypothesis. Results. Family authority is a moral process that transforms full subjection to the power of parents into a unit of norms generated by mutual affection. If the norms generated during cohabitation strengthen affectivity, they gradually transform the original power into moral authority. Conclusions: Authority becomes firmly established if the behavior of parents merits trust due to its exemplarity and is consistent with the norms generated by the process of affective relationships. The difference in digital competence may be an influencing factor in the process, but it is not decisive.