Thesis
EXPLORING THE ASSOCIATION AMONG PARENTAL MEDIA LITERACY, MEDIATION STRATEGIES AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS' SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND MENTAL WELL-BEING
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2025
Abstract
Abstract
Nadia Ishrat Alamgir, M.A.Washington State University
DECEMBER 2025
Chair: Erica Austin
This study examines the impact of parental media literacy and mediation strategies on middle schoolers’ social media use patterns and mental well-being. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 174 parents, 21 from a local middle school and 153 from a national Prolific sample. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study examined associations among parents’ digital literacy, their adoption of mediation strategies (active, restrictive, co-viewing), and children's social media behavior and emotional health outcomes.
Findings revealed that parents with higher media literacy were significantly more likely to use active mediation strategies and report greater confidence in regulating their children’s digital experiences. Media literacy was positively associated with children’s educational or creative engagement on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and negatively associated with indicators of poor mental well-being. While active mediation showed benefits for children's emotional outcomes, excessive restrictive mediation was associated with slightly lower well-being scores. Thematic analysis of open-ended responses further illustrated the roles of cultural values, awareness gaps, and perceived tool complexity in shaping parenting practices.
These findings underscore the need for improved parent-focused media literacy interventions and user-friendly mediation tools. The study contributes to understanding how digital parenting practices shape children’s well-being in the context of social media and offers actionable insights for educators, developers, and policymakers.
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Details
- Title
- EXPLORING THE ASSOCIATION AMONG PARENTAL MEDIA LITERACY, MEDIATION STRATEGIES AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS' SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND MENTAL WELL-BEING
- Creators
- Nadia Ishrat Alamgir
- Contributors
- Nadia Ishrat Austin (Advisor)Erica Austin (Committee Member)Erica Ishrat Austin (Advisor)Alexis Tan (Committee Member)Nicole O’Donnell (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 101
- Identifiers
- 99901357692501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis