How does parental control affect a child?

Parental control significantly impacts a child’s development, often with negative psychological and social consequences. High levels of parental psychological control are associated with increased social problems, social anxiety, and aggression in adolescents, largely due to impaired emotion regulation and reduced trust and communication with parents. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and depression, hindering cognitive and emotional development, and causing emotional or physical withdrawal. It also negatively affects children’s peer interactions, friendship quality, self-esteem, and psychological autonomy, potentially making them overly dependent or susceptible to bullying. In the long term, high parental control can diminish a child’s self-identity, which is essential for positive growth after adversity, and may result in difficulties with emotional regulation, coping strategies, and forming healthy social relationships.

While tools like parental control apps are intended to protect children online, they can be counterproductive, potentially harming trust, reducing a child’s ability to independently manage online threats, and being perceived as overly restrictive. Children often prefer direct communication with parents over app-based controls. Additionally, strict rules may lead to future rebellion. Promoting relative autonomy and a growth mindset can help mitigate the negative effects of parental control and foster better coping skills and self-identity. Emotional support from teachers can also buffer the adverse impact of parental psychological control on a child’s peer interactions.