From parents to their adolescent children: reexamining the link between parental and adolescent internet addiction

This study explores the complex relationship between parental behaviours and adolescent problematic internet use (PIU), contributing to a growing understanding of how family dynamics influence digital habits in children. Using a sample of 236 Arab parents, we investigated the impact of parental PIU, the frequency of parental monitoring, and serious arguments about internet use on adolescent PIU. The findings demonstrated significant associations between parental and adolescent PIU levels, highlighting shared patterns in specific symptoms. Regression analysis identified parental PIU and frequent serious arguments as significant predictors of adolescent PIU, indicating the heightened risk among adolescents with PIU-affected parents. Additionally, the study uncovered a partial mediation effect, with the frequency of serious arguments serving as a pathway linking parental and adolescent PIU. By examining these relationships within a culturally distinct context, the research broadens the scope of PIU studies beyond western populations, offering new insights into underexplored Arab families. The results indicate the importance of family-centered intervention strategies, including positive parental role modelling and promoting constructive discussions about internet use. These findings have practical implications for developing culturally sensitive programmes aimed at mitigating adolescent PIU through improved family dynamics and healthy digital practices.