Policy Recommendations for Preventing Problematic Internet Use in Schools: A Qualitative Study of Parental Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Digital education
• Adolescent psychology
• Parenting studies

Background:

• Parenting in the digital age presents unique challenges.
• Adolescent problematic internet use requires educational intervention.
• Parents feel ambivalent about their mediating role in digital use.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate parental perceptions of school-based interventions.
• Identify needs for preventing excessive online use.
• Enhance parent-child communication and reduce family conflict.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving nine interviews with UK parents.
• Thematic analysis of interview data.
• Focus on parental proposals for intervention.

Main Results:

• Parents propose schools act as digital education and prevention hubs.
• Need for mental health literacy to address impacts of excessive use.
• Psychoeducation and upskilling are crucial for managing screen time and content impacts.

Conclusions:

• Recommendations for media literacy beyond e-safety are needed.
• Interventions should address interpersonal communication and privacy concerns.
• Collaboration between media and emotional health literacy is vital for adolescent well-being.