Abstract

Previous research on the intersection of internet usage and parent-child attachment has often been unidimensional, focusing largely on negative aspects such as internet addiction or maladaptive behaviour. Our study utilizes the recently introduced concept of ‘digital maturity’—a multidimensional framework that emphasizes self-directed use of digital technology for psychological growth and risk avoidance and hence to explore its relationship with parenting behaviours. This study contrasts earlier work by including an analysis of parental risk management and its effects on parent-child dynamics among adolescents. In a cross-sectional study with 285 parent-child dyads including adolescents aged 12 to 18, we evaluated parenting behaviours, parent-child relationships, and digital maturity, specifically analysing how parent-child relationships mediate the influence of parenting behaviours on digital maturity. Our findings indicate that both rationalization and unstructured time within parental behaviours significantly affect digital maturity. This impact is further mediated by factors such as perceived identity, and varying degrees of parental support in parent-child relationships. Our study expands the understanding of how digital interactions are shaped by family dynamics, providing new insights into the development of digital maturity.

Download

Share

COinS