Global perspectives on digital parenting: Challenges and opportunities in improving family well-being

Abstract

This narrative review examines global perspectives on digital parenting, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in enhancing family well-being through digital technologies. It synthesises study findings from leading international journals, highlighting digital technologies’ positive and negative impacts on family dynamics, children’s education and mental health. On the positive side, digital technologies can significantly enhance families’ educational and communication opportunities. However, digital technologies also have considerable risks, such as increased screen time, lower happiness, exposure to inappropriate content, and challenges in maintaining healthy family dynamics. Parents need help managing their children’s digital use due to a lack of digital literacy and effective monitoring tools. Effective strategies identified include improving digital literacy among parents, developing clear family policies on technology use, and encouraging shared use of media technologies. These strategies help balance the benefits and risks of digital technology, thereby promoting overall family well-being.