A Cross-Sectional Study on The Relative Contribution of General and Internet-Specific Parenting Practices to Problematic Social Media Use Among Adolescents

Abstract

Previous studies on parenting practices and problematic social media use (PSMU) demonstrated the independent contribution of general parenting practices (GPP) and Internet-specific parenting practices (ISPP) to Internet use, while the relative contribution of GPP and ISPP to PSMU among adolescents is still unknown. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relative contribution of GPP (Responsiveness, Demandingness, and Autonomy-granting) and ISPP (Reactive restrictions and Internet-specific rules) to PSMU among adolescents, and whether these relationships were moderated by the time parents spend with their children. Adolescent data from wave 1 of the Digital Family Project were used. The sample consisted of 402 participants aged 9 to 19 (M = 13.50, SD = 2.16). As expected, results showed that responsiveness, autonomy-granting, and Internet-specific rules lowered the risk of PSMU. Contrary to the hypothesis, reactive restrictions increased the risk of PSMU. Spending time together with parents did not influence the relation between parenting and PSMU. It seems that adolescents are more protected against PSMU when experiencing high levels of responsiveness and autonomy-granting, more Internet-specific rules, and less reactive restrictions. Based on the results, interventions should focus on informing parents about their contribution to their children’s social media use.