Parenting and social media: Exploring parental understanding of adolescent social media use

Social media (SM) has become an integral part of adolescent socialization. SM is widely accessible through advanced technology with resulting demands for constant connection. Existing research has focused on the negative aspects of SM while highlighting the need for an understanding of how to mitigate risk factors associated with adolescent SM use. Parental mediation strategies have been noted in existing research as an important factor in lessening risks or negative outcomes related to adolescent SM use. Using interpretive phenomenology analysis (IPA), parental understanding of adolescent SM use was explored to gain insight into how parents understand and experience mediation strategies related to adolescents’ involvement in the virtual world. Findings indicate parents do understand mediation strategies and have employed varying strategies inclusive of monitoring, restrictions, and open communication. Further, findings suggest parents accept SM and embrace the associated challenges of adolescents’ involvement in the online world, adapting to changes and adjusting mediation strategies to meet the needs of their adolescent and family. This thesis asserts parents are creating a parenting philosophy that focuses on relationships, with potential for SM to provide important teaching opportunities and improved communication with their young people. Improving understanding of parental experiences regarding adolescent SM use and how parents navigate this socio-cultural shift can provide helpful information for social work practice to support parents and families navigating this foreign world.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Social Work

Grantor dc:publisher

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Anspach, Chandra Lynn

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Fletcher, Kara

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Chalmers, Darlene
• Jeffery, Bonnie

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://doi.org/10.82465/4404

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uregina.scholaris.ca:10294/16097