The Role of Family Factors in Internet Addiction Among Children and Adolescents

Abstract

As the Internet becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, there is a growing concern on the antecedents that contribute to some of the adverse effects such as Internet addiction. Parents are important and influential agents, and their parenting practices may promote or prevent the development of Internet-related problems. This chapter provides a review of family factors surrounding child and adolescent Internet addiction such as parental monitoring and parental guidance, parental mediation, Internet parenting styles, parental norms and behaviors, parent and child characteristics, family functioning and parent marital conflict, quality of the parent-child and peer relationship and culture as highlighted in previous research. Common limitations on past research on family factors and child and adolescent Internet addiction are noted and future research directions are suggested. Finally, family-based solutions and recommendations to prevent children and adolescents from developing Internet addiction are provided in the light of previous findings.