Good Technology Requires a Good Environment: The Role of Parenting Practices in Adolescent Internet Addiction. ACM 4th International Conference on Information Technology for Social Good
Authors: Mousa, O., Yankouskaya, A., Panourgia, C. and Ali, R.
Conference: ACM GOODIT 2024
Dates: 4-6 September 2024
Abstract:Studies over the past decade have shown that Internet Addiction (IA), can impact adolescents’ health across physical, mental, and social domains. While extensive research has explored adolescents' vulnerability to IA, the role of parental influence through communication and discipline requires further examination. This study investigates the influence of parenting practices on IA among adolescents in the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. We utilized the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire-Short Form (APQ-SF), which measures three facets of parenting practices: positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, and poor supervision. The findings indicated that inconsistent discipline significantly predicts higher IA levels in adolescents, while positive parenting predicts lower IA levels. Poor supervision did not correlate with IA. Notably, the frequency of serious arguments over Internet overuse fully mediated the relationship between positive parenting and IA among adolescents. Furthermore, the effect of inconsistent discipline on IA among adolescents was partially mediated by the frequency of serious arguments over Internet overuse. The findings highlight the role of the family environment in adolescents' IA and emphasize the need for family-centered approaches to address this issue. These results also imply the necessity for designing effective digital parenting tools that support families in managing technology use. Understanding these dynamics will contribute to the design of better Information Technology (IT) interventions by ensuring they consider the significant influence of parenting practices on adolescents' Internet use. IT interventions should take these factors into consideration to be more effective in preventing IA and promoting healthier technology habits among adolescents.
Source: Manual