Impact of digital parenting practices on adolescent mental health and family well-being: a case study of urban households

Purpose This study aims to examine how digital parenting practices influence adolescent mental health and family well-being within urban households in Lahore, Pakistan. It explores how factors such as parental availability, digital literacy, family structure, and socio-cultural dynamics shape parenting strategies specifically restrictive mediation, active mediation and co-use. Through seven in-depth case studies, the research seeks to uncover how these strategies affect adolescents’ emotional resilience, digital behavior and family cohesion. The findings intend to inform culturally responsive policies, parenting support systems, and digital literacy programs that promote healthy digital engagement and stronger family relationships in rapidly urbanizing contexts. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study employed a multiple case study approach to explore digital parenting practices in seven urban households in Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with parents and adolescents, supplemented by direct household observations. Participants were purposefully selected to represent diverse socio-economic backgrounds, family structures and levels of digital literacy. Interviews focused on parenting strategies, adolescent digital behavior, mental health and family dynamics. Observations captured how digital media was integrated into daily routines. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and contextual nuances in digital mediation and its impact on adolescent well-being and family cohesion. Findings The study found that active mediation and co-use of digital media foster adolescent emotional resilience and strengthen family cohesion. In contrast, restrictive mediation without open communication often led to secrecy, anxiety and weakened trust. Parental digital literacy and availability significantly influenced mediation style and effectiveness. Multigenerational households benefited from broader support networks when communication was cohesive, while conflicting rules sometimes created confusion. Low-income families with limited digital knowledge were more vulnerable to unsupervised digital use and associated mental health risks. Overall, balanced, communicative digital parenting proved essential for promoting adolescent well-being and sustaining positive family relationships in urban settings. Originality/value This study offers original insights into digital parenting within the socio-cultural and economic context of urban Pakistan, a setting largely underrepresented in existing literature dominated by Western perspectives. By using a case study approach, it captures the lived experiences of diverse urban families, highlighting how cultural values, digital literacy and household dynamics shape parenting strategies and adolescent outcomes. The research contributes valuable, context-specific knowledge for designing culturally sensitive digital literacy programs and parenting interventions. It also underscores the importance of balancing control with communication in digital parenting, offering practical guidance for educators, policymakers and mental health professionals working with urban families.