Young Adults’ Internet Use and their Relationships with their Parents

Abstract

This study explored problematic Internet use (PIU) among Canadian female young adults (YAs) within a University setting (i.e., undergraduate) and its influence on their relationships with their mothers and fathers. More specifically, the focus of this study was on YAs’ perceptions of their parents’ level of monitoring, communication, and conflict and how these constructs were related to PIU. Data were obtained using an online questionnaire filled out by 98 female University students, who were between the ages of 18 and 25. Findings indicated that YAs who showed signs of PIU experienced both higher levels of perceived conflict and monitoring with both mother and fathers. Similar with previous research, it was found that regardless of YAs’ levels of PIU, YAs’ perceived that they were monitored more by their mothers than their fathers. More research needs to be conducted as PIU is a growing concern, not only with the YA cohort, but also among other age groups, as technology and social media increasingly becomes an important part of everyday lives.