Parenting and Problematic Social Media Use: A Systematic Review

Research on the relation between parenting and adolescents’ problematic social media use (PSMU) is relatively new and reveals rather mixed findings. This is likely due to a focus on different parenting factors as well as a diversity in outcomes of social media use. This paper is aimed at reviewing existing literature on parenting and adolescents’ PSMU and providing a reference for future research and intervention. There is consistent evidence that positive parent–child relationships as well as a positive family climate at home are related to less PSMU. Likewise, most studies indicate that positive parenting, parenting that is characterized by affection, responsiveness, and demandingness, is associated with less PSMU, whereas parenting characterized by inconsistency and control is associated with more PSMU. Findings concerning internet-specific parenting are far less consistent. Restrictive mediation shows a dual influence. When restrictive mediation constitutes rule setting, then a negative correlation with PSMU is found. However, when it refers to reactive restrictions, a positive association is found. Active mediation is not consistently correlated to PSMU. Finally, a clear and consistent positive correlation between parental phubbing and PSMU was found. This review indicates that there is more consistent evidence that positive parent-child interactions and positive general parenting practices (e.g., affection and responsiveness) may help to prevent adolescents’ PSMU than internet-specific parenting practices that are aimed at guiding or restricting adolescents’ internet use. However, studies largely used a cross-sectional design and varied significantly in the conceptualization and operationalization of parenting practices. This review justifies further investigation which is needed to provide an integral prevention approach that includes parenting to support optimal adolescent development, including the prevention of PSMU.