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Mediation

Parental Mediation Crucial for Guiding Digital Media Use in Children and Adolescents

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Parents play a vital role in guiding their children's use of digital media, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, to minimize negative impacts such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. A new systematic review published in the journal Ciencias Psicologicas found that parental mediation is a significant protective factor against excessive internet use, gaming dependence, and cyberbullying. The study employed a machine learning model to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of article selection and found that active and restrictive mediation strategies were effective in moderating the relationship between digital media use and mental health outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Parental mediation is essential for guiding the appropriate use of devices and minimizing potential negative impacts on children and adolescents.
  • The systematic review investigated the influence of different parental mediation styles on the use of digital media by children and adolescents.
  • A new method for searching and classifying articles using the ASReview software was employed, which utilized a machine learning model to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
  • The review followed all procedures required by PROSPERO and initially identified 28,964 articles, of which 359 were read and 27 were included in the study.
  • The quality of the manuscripts was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies.
  • The main findings indicated that parental mediation is a significant protective factor against excessive internet use, gaming dependence, and cyberbullying.
  • Active and restrictive mediation strategies proved effective in moderating the relationship between digital media use and mental health outcomes.
  • The study highlighted the critical role of parents in guiding their children's digital consumption.
  • The research was published in the journal Ciencias Psicologicas in 2025, issue 19, volume 1.

Statistics:

  • 28,964 articles were initially identified in the systematic review.
  • 359 articles were read and reviews, of which 27 were included in the study.
  • The number of articles included in the study was 27.
  • The Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies was used to assess the quality of the manuscripts.
  • The research found that parental mediation is a significant protective factor against excessive internet use, gaming dependence, and cyberbullying.

Sources:

  • "Parental mediation in the use of screens by children and adolescents: a systematic literature review." Ciencias Psicologicas, 2025, 19(1). (Ciencias Psicologicas - http://www.scielo.edu.uy/scielo.php?script=sci_serial&pid=1688-4221&lng=es&nrm)
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.22235/cp.v19i1.4130
  • Universidad Catolica del Uruguay, publisher of Ciencias Psicologicas.

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