Parental mediation and mobile phone dependency among Chinese migrant children: A moderated mediation model of self-control and parent-child communication

Previous research has identified the association between parental mediation and children’s mobile phone dependency. However, limited studies have focused on migrant children and explored the underlying mechanisms from the perspective of the interaction between individual and family. To address this gap, an anonymous self-report survey was conducted among 686 migrant children in mainland China. This study finds that the prevalence rate of mobile phone dependency among migrant children was 33.82%. The results demonstrate that both parental mediation and self-control negatively related to mobile phone dependency among migrant children. Self-control fully mediates the relationship between parental mediation and mobile phone dependency among migrant children. Moreover, parent–child communication moderates the relationship between parental mediation and self-control. Specifically, individuals with high-level parent–child communication exhibit stronger moderating effects compared to those with low-level parent–child communication. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex mechanism through which parental mediation affects mobile phone dependency among migrant children while also providing practical implications aimed at preventing and reducing mobile phone dependency.