Internet use and usage of Chinese teenagers at home: understanding demographic and parenting influence

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of demographics and parenting on Chinese teenagers’ internet use and usage at home. Using a sample of 575 Chinese teenagers, some internet use and usage patterns in relation to individual characteristics and parenting influence were observed. The findings from hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that parents still play a dominant role in influencing internet use and usage among the teenagers, as compared with their own influence. Learning-related and leisure-related internet usages were positively related to parental warmth and parental control respectively. Overall, this study provides a snapshot of teenagers’ internet use and usage at home in China today.