Compulsive internet use among adolescents: bidirectional parent-child relationships.
Although parents experience growing concerns about their children's excessive internet use, little is known about the role parents can play to prevent their children from developing Compulsive Internet Use (CIU). The present study addresses associations between internet-specific parenting practices and CIU among adolescents, as well as the bidirectionality of these associations. Two studies were conducted: a cross-sectional study using a representative sample of 4,483 Dutch students and a longitudinal study using a self-selected sample of 510 Dutch adolescents. Results suggest that qualitatively good communication regarding internet use is a promising tool for parents to prevent their teenage children from developing CIU. Besides, parental reactions to excessive internet use and parental rules regarding the content of internet use may help prevent CIU. Strict rules about time of internet use, however, may promote compulsive tendencies. Finally, one opposite link was found whereby CIU predicted a decrease in frequency of parental communication regarding internet use.
van den Eijnden
Regina J J M
RJ
Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80140, 3508, TC Utrecht, The Netherlands. r.j.j.m.vandeneijnden@uu.nl
Spijkerman
Renske
R
Vermulst
Ad A
AA
van Rooij
Tony J
TJ
Engels
Rutger C M E
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors