We’re excited to share a new publication led by colleagues from Australia, in collaboration with University of Lausanne (Switzerland), Ghent University (Belgium) and ULB! In this study, we explored what might lead some parents to become overprotective, looking at the role of social media comparisons, societal expectations, a perception that the world is unsafe, as well as parental anxiety.
Our findings from over 900 Australian parents of teenagers showed that parents who feel more anxious about the world or compare themselves to others online are more likely to report more overprotective parenting. We also found some differences between mothers and fathers, suggesting that these pressures may be experienced differently.