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