Design and Effectiveness of a Smart Digital Parenting Program for Preventing Internet Addiction in Children: A Family-Centered Media Literacy Educational Approach

Background and Aim: The increasing use of the internet among children has raised concerns about internet dependency and addiction. Digital parenting, especially when delivered through smart, education-based platforms, can play a significant role in preventing this issue. This study aimed to design and evaluate the effectiveness of a digital parenting intervention program based on media literacy to reduce the risk of internet addiction in children. Methods: This semi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest and two-month follow-up design and a control group was conducted in ۲۰۲۴ in elementary schools of Zahedan. The study population included parents of children aged ۸ to ۱۲ years. Sixty parents were randomly selected and assigned into intervention (n=۳۰) and control (n=۳۰) groups. The intervention group received six weeks of training via the smart app "Conscious Parenting," covering digital parenting styles, managing online behaviors, critical dialogue with children, media literacy, and effective supervision strategies. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected at three time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and two-month follow-up) using the Child Internet Addiction Scale, Digital Parenting Questionnaire, and Parental Media Literacy Scale. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and ANCOVA with significance level set at p<۰.۰۵. Results: Findings indicated a significant decrease in children's internet addiction scores in the intervention group after the program (p<۰.۰۰۱), which remained stable at the two-month follow-up. Additionally, digital parenting and parental media literacy scores increased significantly compared to the control group (p<۰.۰۰۱). No significant changes were observed in the control group (p>۰.۰۵). ANCOVA confirmed the independent and significant effect of the intervention on the studied variables (p<۰.۰۱). Conclusion: The digital parenting educational program based on a smart platform can be an effective and practical strategy for preventing internet addiction in children by enhancing media literacy and promoting conscious parent-child interaction.

کلیدواژه ها:

Digital Parenting ، Internet Addiction ، Media Literacy ، Parent Education ، Children ، Preventive Intervention