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Worry and Permissive Parenting in Association with the Development of Internet Addiction in Children

Author

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  • Barbara Chuen Yee Lo

    (Department of Applied Psychology, Lingnan University, New Territories 100020, Hong Kong, China)

  • Romance Nok Man Lai

    (Department of Applied Psychology, Lingnan University, New Territories 100020, Hong Kong, China)

  • Ting Kin Ng

    (Wofoo Joseph Lee Consulting and Counseling Psychology Research Centre, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, New Territories 100020, Hong Kong, China)

  • Haobi Wang

    (Wofoo Joseph Lee Consulting and Counseling Psychology Research Centre, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, New Territories 100020, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

The Internet has experienced a rapid increase in use globally. Specifically, more than 90% of Hong Kong’s citizens use the Internet, and 70% of children in the age group of 6–17 years have daily access to it. However, internet addiction could pose serious social and health issues. Therefore, conducting research to investigate its causes and risk factors is fundamental. The current study examined the relationship between worry and Internet addiction among children in Hong Kong and investigated the moderating effect of the permissive parenting style on such a relationship. The participants consisted of 227 fourth- and fifth-grade students (120 males, 52.9%) with a mean age of 9.55 (standard deviation (SD) = 0.58) in Hong Kong. Each participant was asked to complete the questionnaires, including the Internet Addiction Test for Internet addiction, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire for Children for worry, and the Parental Authority Questionnaire for the permissive parenting style. The results indicated that worry was related to greater Internet addiction among children. Furthermore, there was a moderating effect of the permissive parenting style such that the positive association between worry and Internet addiction was stronger when the permissive parenting style was higher. Our findings imply that parenting styles are influential in the prevention of Internet addiction.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbara Chuen Yee Lo & Romance Nok Man Lai & Ting Kin Ng & Haobi Wang, 2020. "Worry and Permissive Parenting in Association with the Development of Internet Addiction in Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:7722-:d:433085
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yang‐Sook Yoo & Ok‐Hee Cho & Kyeong‐Sook Cha, 2014. "Associations between overuse of the internet and mental health in adolescents," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(2), pages 193-200, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Veronica Mindrescu & Razvan-Sandu Enoiu, 2022. "Deconstructing the Parent–Child Relationship during the COVID-19 Pandemic through Tech-Wise Outlets Such as the Internet and Media Consumption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Mohammad Aminul Islam & M. Rezaul Islam, 2023. "Exploring the impact of Covid-19 on children's social media usage: a pragmatic analysis of excessive screen time and its effects on child development," Journal of Community Positive Practices, Catalactica NGO, issue 2, pages 69-84.
    3. Valeria Rega & Francesca Gioia & Valentina Boursier, 2023. "Problematic Media Use among Children up to the Age of 10: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-29, May.
    4. Wu, Dandan & Hung Lau, Eva Yi & Power, Thomas G., 2024. "Effectiveness of mixed-mode parenting training program during the COVID-19 pandemic: A quasi-experiment study in Hong Kong," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    5. Ting Kin Ng & Ting Hin Lee & Hazyle Yuen & Wai Chan, 2023. "Attitudes toward Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage: The Roles of Parental Attitudes, Traditional Gender Role Values, and Filial Piety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.

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