An Investigation of the Impact of Parental Media Mediation on Social Media Addiction and Perceived Child Rearing Practices among Adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the influence of parental media mediation on social media addiction and perceived child-rearing practices among adolescents in Pakistan. With the pervasive use of social media among adolescents, understanding the role of parental mediation becomes crucial in mitigating potential negative effects. This study addresses this gap by investigating the impact of parental mediation on social media addiction and its implications for child-rearing practices. Utilizing a quantitative correlational approach, data were gathered from 253 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years using convenient sampling. Questionnaires assessing parental media mediation, social media addiction, and perceived child-rearing practices were employed. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS. Positive associations were found between perceived parental mediation and problematic social media use, particularly in instances of seeking self-improvement or support. Notably, children's subjective well-being was not determined by smartphone usage, potentially due to parental mediation. This research underscores the importance of parental mediation in addressing social media addiction among adolescents. Future studies should explore the alignment between adolescents' perceptions of parental mediation and parents' actual behaviors.