EXCESSIVE INTERNET USE AND PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the connection between problematic Internet use and the parent-child relationship. Starting from Vygotsky’s theory (1978), which emphasized the importance of interaction in child development, the present research is based on identifying changes in children’s and parents’ behavior, when using the Internet. The participants (N = 204) completed the KPS scale of parental satisfaction, the index of family distress (FDI), the scale of family communication (FPSC) and the PCIAT index, for excessive Internet use. The results showed a statistically significant association between problematic internet use and parental satisfaction, family communication, family distress.

Keywords: internet, parent-child relationship, family communication, internet addiction