Parental perceptions and monitoring of teenagers' smartphone use in rural South Africa : a case study of Moletjie Village, Limpopo Province

Abstract

This study investigated parental perceptions and monitoring practices concerning teenagers’ smartphone use, an issue that has gained prominence with the rapid proliferation of smartphone technology. While smartphones offer numerous benefits, their excessive use among adolescents presents potential adverse effects on lifestyle, academic performance, and mental health. Through a qualitative approach, this research explored parental viewpoints on the smartphone habits of their teenage children and examined patterns of use. Grounded in parental motivation theory and protection motivation theory, the study aimed to provide insights into how parents perceive and manage their teenagers’ smartphone usage, focusing specifically on its negative impacts. Given the limited research conducted in the South African context, this study contributed significantly by addressing gaps related to parental involvement and the implications of unmonitored smartphone use among teenagers. Data were collected through interviews with both parents and teenage smartphone users. Key findings reveal that while parents acknowledge the frequent smartphone use among their children, most of them lack active monitoring practices. The study underscored the dependency of teenagers on smartphones and the unrestricted use that often accompanies parental disengagement. These findings highlight the need for further research into parental monitoring approaches to enhance responsible smartphone use among teenagers, with particular attention to online activities and parental guidance.