Purpose: This study aimed to explain the relationships between parents' mental well-being and sociodemographic characteristics with digital parenting awareness.
Design and methods: This cross-sectional study used structural equation modeling. It was conducted between January and May 2023 in a province in the Mediterranean region of Turkey with 262 parents with children aged 5-11 years. Research data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Digital Parental Awareness Scale, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale.
Results: Parents' mental well-being and digital parenting awareness were significantly associated with the sub-dimensions of being a negative model (β = -0.313), digital negligence (β = -0.187), efficient use (β = 0.284), and protection from risks (β = 0.432; all p < 0.001). Additionally, parental mental well-being, parent's internet usage time (years), the perception that their child/children are using digital tools unnecessarily, the monthly income of the family, parent's age, and education levels significantly impact digital parenting awareness (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Parents' mental well-being was moderately and significantly associated with digital parenting awareness. Furthermore, the high number of years of internet usage by parents, having high levels of education and income, being younger, and the perception that their children use digital tools unnecessarily are positively related to digital parenting awareness.
Keywords: Awareness; Digital parenting; Mental well-being; Nurse; Parenting.
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