Parental Control
Parental control involves two main types: behavioral control and psychological control. Researchers in parenting and child development distinguish between these to better understand and guide parental strategies.
Behavioral Control and Psychological Control
Behavioral Control: This involves parents setting clear rules and monitoring their children's activities. For instance, parents may set curfews, require their children to inform them of their whereabouts, and establish expectations for behavior. Behavioral control is generally associated with better developmental outcomes for children, such as a reduced likelihood of drug use and engagement in risky behaviors.
Psychological Control: This involves parents attempting to manipulate their children's thoughts and feelings through strategies like guilt induction (making children feel guilty for not sharing parents' thoughts and feelings) and love withdrawal (making children feel unloved if they don't share parents' thoughts and feelings). Psychological control is typically linked to worse developmental outcomes, including higher levels of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.
The Influence of Parental Control
Cultural context plays a significant role in the application and impact of behavioral control. In some cultures, parents who exercise more behavioral control are also warmer and more affectionate toward their children. In other cultures, increased behavioral control may not be associated with parental warmth. Regardless, parents generally reduce behavioral control as children transition into adolescence, although the timing and degree of this reduction can vary across cultures.
Unlike behavioral control, psychological control is consistently detrimental to children's well-being across different cultural contexts. It tends to undermine children's sense of autonomy and individuality, especially as they enter adolescence. Psychological control reflects a parental inability to acknowledge their children's growing independence and individuality while maintaining a connection with them. This form of control hinders the development of autonomy, identity formation, and the attainment of self-determination in adolescents.
Across cultures, children and adolescents generally recognize that their parents have legitimate authority over certain aspects of their lives, particularly those related to morals, health, and safety. However, they are less likely to view parental authority as legitimate in personal domains, such as choices of clothing or music. Cultural differences also influence adolescents' perceptions of whether they should conform to parental expectations or assert their own preferences.
Parental Controls on Mobile Devices
With the rise of mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, parental controls have become essential for managing children's online activities.
History and Development
- In 2007, Verizon introduced content filters.
- In 2009, Apple added parental controls to iPhones.
- Major systems like Android, Windows, and Blackberry now have similar features.
Features
- Limit and monitor app access, text messages, call logs, and social media.
- Set usage time limits and track children's locations.
- Apps like Trend Micro offer extra features like real-time conversation monitoring.
Internet Service Providers
- Offer free filtering options to block inappropriate content.
Considerations
- Parental controls can increase children's anxiety and lead to extreme reactions. Alternative strategies might be needed in such cases.
Notes
Effective parental control involves setting clear expectations for behavior and monitoring children's activities to prevent problematic behaviors. However, it is crucial to allow children and adolescents to have their own thoughts and feelings without making them feel guilty or unloved if these differ from their parents' views. Additionally, parents should consider cultural contexts and children's developmental changes over time to adjust their parenting strategies, supporting their children's growing independence during adolescence.
