The predictors of parental privacy invasion with regard to adolescents’ online behavior

Abstract

The focus of this study was on examining three predictors of parental monitoring in adolescents’ online behavior. Parental motivations, the parenting characteristics control and warmth, and parental comfort with social media technologies were investigated as possible predictors. Internet survey data from 73 Dutch parents showed that some specific parental motivations and both of the parenting characteristics were substantial predictors for parental privacy invasion when it comes to adolescents’ online behavior. Results are discussed in terms of Petronio’s (1994) distinction of parental monitoring (direct and subversive monitoring), the social domain theory (Smetana et al., 2006) and the categorization of parenting characteristics according to Baumrind (1991). Based on these new insights, appropriate interventions can be implemented to evoke consciousness among parents in their monitoring behaviors, what in turn makes it possible to find a good balance between monitoring and maintaining the adolescents’ privacy.