IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 25, Issue 1, Series. 4 (January. 2020) 24-31 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-2501042431 www.iosrjournals.org 24 |Page Psychological and Behavioral predictors of Parental Internet Mediation Sarosh Iqbal *1 , Prof. Dr. Rubeena Zakar 1 1 (Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan) Abstract: Background: Use of internet is rapidly increasing amongst all communities. Teenagers, aged 13 to 19 years, are the avid users of internet. Teenagers’ excessive use of internet is a serious concern of parents/caregivers, highlighting the concept of parental internet mediation. Parental internet mediation involves the interaction between parents and teenagers to regulate their use of internet. The current research aimed to explore the psychological and behavioral predictors of parental internet mediation. Materials and Methods: A mixed method exploratory research was conducted in district Lahore (Pakistan). Focus Group Discussions were carried out with 52 teenagers (including 26 boys and 26 girls), followed by a quantitative survey with 347 mothers (parents/ caregivers) of teenagers. After data collection, data was entered and transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted for qualitative data and bivariate logistic regression was applied for quantitative data. Results: Research found that mostly mothers, applied multiple and mixed internet mediation, such as active co- use mediation, restrictive, monitoring, or active internet safety mediation. Results demonstrated that active co- use mediation has statistically significant association with most of the socio-demographic, psychological and behavioral predictors. Findings showed that those respondents are more likely to mediate often actively, who have older teenagers, mostly girls, having personality traits of more conscientious and open to experiences, with high self-esteem, nonetheless with low level of depression and substance use. Conclusion:This research highlights one of the important issues related to internet and parenting in contemporary societies. It recommends to formulate parental internet mediation guidelines, considering the local cultural practices. Research suggests to launch community based campaign, including print, electronic and social media, to educate parents, teenagers and communities on effective internet mediation and safer online practices. Key Word: Parental Internet Mediation, Teenagers, Psychological, Behavioral predictors, Lahore, Pakistan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 06-01-2020 Date of Acceptance: 21-01-2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION Use of internet is rapidly increasing amongst all communities, particularly in young generation. Teenagers, aged 13 to 19 years, are the avid users of internet and internet connected digital devices. The internet is fabric of their daily lives, therefore teenagers are known as cyber-teens 1 , screenagers 2 and app generation 3 . According to Pew Research Center, nearly 95% teenagers remain online as compared to 78% adults 4 . Teenagers’ excessive use of internet is a serious concern of parents/caregivers, highlighting the concept of parental internet mediation. Parental internet mediation involves the interaction between parents and teenagers to regulate their use of internet 5 . Considering the attributes of internet, there are five dimensions of parental internet mediation, i.e. active co-use mediation, restrictive mediation, monitoring, technical mediation and active mediation of internet safety 6 . Since parental internet mediation directly monitor, guide or regulate teens’ online behaviors, therefore, imply psychological and behavioral controls on teenagers, which may lead to risky behaviors. Here the psychological control refer to negative effects on personality, while behavioral control indicates to aggression, delinquent behavior, depression, or lower self-esteem 7 . The current research aimed to explore the psychological and behavioral predictors of parental internet mediation.