5 - (SYM 28) Development of a Family-based Preventive Program for Children's Problematic Internet Use: The Role of Parental Control and Family Relationships

In Japan, the age at which children begin using smartphones has progressively decreased, and screen time increases rapidly throughout adolescence (Children and Families Agency, 2025). The nationwide GIGA School Initiative, launched in 2019 to provide all elementary and junior high school students with personal digital devices, has further accelerated the digitalization of education. Meanwhile, the prevalence of problematic Internet use (PIU) among Japanese children remains high by international standards, estimated at 7.9–9.0% (Mihara et al., 2016; Nakayama et al., 2020), and has been associated with academic difficulties, sleep disturbances, school absenteeism, and mental health problems (Chen & Gau, 2016; Saikia et al., 2019; Stavropoulos et al., 2013). These risks underscore the necessity of preventive strategies that support healthy Internet use. Family involvement lies at the core of children’s digital behavior (Shi et al., 2017). Although prior studies suggest that family functioning and parental management influence PIU (Nielsen et al., 2019; Shi et al., 2017), the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This presentation reports a series of studies aimed at clarifying these associations and at developing a culturally responsive, family-based preventive program.

Study 1 developed a scale assessing six dimensions of parental control—specific parental behaviors used to manage children’s Internet use. Using survey data from elementary and junior high school students (N = 282), confirmatory factor analyses and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients supported the reliability and validity of the scale. Study 2 surveyed students (N = 489) and examined the relationships among parental control, family functioning, and PIU using path analysis. Restrictive parental involvement was positively associated with PIU, whereas active involvement and healthy family functioning were associated with lower levels of PIU. Study 3, an ongoing pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating a CBT-informed family-based preventive program incorporating psychoeducation, communication skills trainings, coping strategies for overuse, and collaborative rule-setting. 
These integrated findings advance understanding of the ways in which family involvement shapes children’s Internet use and provide an empirical foundation for development of family-based preventive interventions.