Parental Mediation and Excessive Internet Use in the Family Context: Perspectives of Parents and Children
Parental Mediation and Excessive Internet Use in the Family Context: Perspectives of Parents and Children

Summary/Abstract: The internet is essential for everyday activities, from staying informed and socialising to work and leisure. However, using it for personal development requires conscious time management and engaging in activities that foster useful skills, such as critical thinking and assessing online content. Parents should guide children in navigating the internet and help them cultivate healthy online habits. This study explored the potential impact of different types of parental mediation on the likelihood of excessive internet use in children. The research used a quantitative descriptive design and involved two scales, The Media Parenting Scale for School-Aged Children and The Compulsive Internet Use Scale. The sample comprised 145 dyads (parent-child pairs) from the Banská Bystrica region. The results showed a statistically significant weak negative relationship between active mediation by parents and children’s excessive internet use, with a similar, slightly stronger but still weak, relationship for restrictive mediation. A statistically significant weak relationship was also found between parents’ and children’s excessive internet use. Further analysis identified statistically significant differences in active mediation based on the family’s place of residence and in excessive internet use among parents, according to their gender. The findings suggest that reducing excessive online time and harmful internet use in young people can be facilitated through reasonable restrictions, alongside active parental involvement and open communication. Parents’ own online behaviour is also crucial, as they set an example for responsible digital media use.

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