A Dyadic Perspective on Parent and Adolescent Technology Use: The Role of Open Communication, Joint Technology Use, and Validation Motives in Problematic Social Media Use

Abstract Background: Parents significantly influence adolescent behavior, yet research often overlooks dyadic interactions in shaping media use. Understanding how family members’ technology habits and communication relate to problematic media use (PMU) is critical for developing effective interventions. Objective: This study used actor–partner interdependence modeling (APIM) to examine associations among time on social media, PMU, and three mediators (validation motives, joint technology use, and open communication) within parent–adolescent dyads. Methods: Participants were 85 parent–child dyads (N = 170) from Ontario, Canada. Parents included 46 mothers (54.1%) and 30 fathers (35.3%). Adolescents (M age = 13.44, SD = 1.6) included 50 males (58.8%) and 32 females (37.6%). In 2023, parents and adolescents completed online surveys assessing time online, social media motives and patterns, and communication. Results: Greater social media use, stronger validation motives, and more frequent joint technology use were associated with higher adolescent PMU, while open communication predicted lower PMU. Parent social media use was linked to adolescent validation motives and joint technology use. Mediation analysis showed adolescent-reported joint use partially mediated the link between parent social media use and adolescent PMU. Conclusions: Family digital habits are interdependent. Parents’ social media use influences adolescents’ behaviors; validation seeking and joint use predict PMU, whereas open communication could be protective.