Factors Associated with Parents’ Intention to Adopt the Parental Control/Monitoring Application

Abstract

This study focused on the factors associated with parental intention to adopt parental control/monitoring applications. An online multi-item questionnaire, the Parental Control Monitoring Questionnaire (PCMQ) was used for data collection. The questionnaire was pretested on a sample of adults within the age range of 21 to 49 who had one or more teenage-aged (10 to 18) children. The assessment adopted the Technology Adoption Model and Protection Motivation Theory to assess Perceived Usefulness (PU) and
Perceptions of the Ease of Use (PEU), with five (5) latent factors assessed. The quota sampling technique was used to select 150 teenagers and 150 parents in Jos, Nigeria. A total of 300 valid responses meeting the quota were received when completed, with a mean score of 3.0 and below depicting a positive attitude or response. Respondents were distributed across the country, including all five major geographical regions. Analysis followed a two-step procedure where the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) preceded Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Model fit, validity and reliability are assessed using a range of statistics, including parameter estimates and fit indicators including comparative fit index (CFI), the Tucker Lewis Index (TLI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) and normed chi-square (CMIN). The factors that could make parents adopt parental control apps
include; perceived severity, perceived usefulness, perceived vulnerability, and perceived innovativeness. It was determined that teenagers have continuous access to the Internet, without any supervision as a result of the technological illiteracy manifested by their parents as the relationships among these components are often complex with intriguing similarities and differences among the participants