Problematic Screen Use in Parents and Children: Predictor of Parent-Child Relationship Quality

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the influence of screen time and problematic screen use by parents and their children on parent-child relationships in early childhood. Data were collected from parents of 411 children aged 3–6 years through a survey questionnaire. Path analysis was conducted to investigate the associations between parent and child screen time, problematic screen use, and parent-child relationship quality. The findings indicated significant associations between parents’ and children’s screen time, as well as their problematic screen use. Parents’ problematic screen use was a significant predictor of children’s problematic screen use. Furthermore, problematic screen use by both parents and children accounted for 37% of the variance in parent-child relationship quality, highlighting its negative impact. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving family digital habits may help mitigate the negative effects of problematic screen use and support healthier parent-child relationships in early childhood.