It Is Not Only the Child! Exploring the Nexus of Adolescents’ Internet Addiction With Family Environment in Internet-Addicted Versus Nonaddicted Parents

This study examines the nexus between internet addiction (IA) in parents and their adolescent children, with a particular focus on the influence of the family environment. While previous research has largely investigated IA in either adults or adolescents, relatively few studies have explored IA within a familial context. However, none has specifically addressed the distinction between internet-addicted and nonaddicted parents. To bridge this gap, we conducted an anonymous online survey of 404 UK parents, collecting demographic data alongside validated measures, including the Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IADQ), the Short Form of the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ-SF), the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD), the Parental version of the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (PYDQ), and self-reported frequency of internet monitoring behaviours. Findings revealed that inconsistent discipline, as measured by a subscale of APQ-SF, significantly predicted adolescent IA among nonaddicted parents, whereas general family functioning played a more crucial role for addicted parents. Additionally, nonaddicted parents perceived their IA symptoms as less severe than those of their children’s, whereas addicted parents rated their own symptoms as more severe. Loss of control, marked by excessive online time, emerged as the most prevalent IA symptom in both parents and adolescents. These findings highlight the intergenerational transmission of IA and underscore the need for targeted family-based interventions and digital parenting programs to foster healthier online behaviours among adolescents.