Parent-Adolescent Internet Addiction and Family Environment (UK)

This study explores the relationship between Internet Addiction (IA) in parents and their adolescent children, focusing on the role of the family environment. While most research has examined IA in adults or adolescents separately, few have addressed it within families, and none have distinguished between addicted and non-addicted parents. To address this gap, we surveyed 404 UK parents using validated measures, including the Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IADQ), the Short Form of the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ-SF), the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD), the Parental version of the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (PYDQ), and self-reported frequency of internet monitoring behaviours. Results showed that inconsistent discipline predicted adolescent IA among non-addicted parents, whereas general family functioning was more influential among addicted parents. Non-addicted parents tended to underestimate their own IA symptoms compared to their children’s, while addicted parents rated their own symptoms as more severe. Excessive online time emerged as the most common symptom across both groups. These findings suggest intergenerational patterns of IA and emphasise the importance of family-based interventions and digital parenting strategies.