Parent-adolescent communication in a digital world: A 100-day diary study

Digital technology enables parents and adolescents to communicate anywhere and anytime. Knowledge of parent-adolescent online communication, however, is mainly based on cross-sectional studies. In this preregistered 100-day diary study, 479 adolescents (M_age  = 15.98, 54.9% girls; 96.9% Dutch) reported daily if they had communicated with their parents online, how long (i.e., duration), and what they discussed (i.e., topics). Parent-adolescent online communication took place on 43% of days, for an average of 20 min a day, and predominantly concerned micro-coordination. Five profiles of parent-adolescent online communication were identified, with most adolescents (55.4%) communicating relatively infrequently and briefly. Boys and younger adolescents communicated longer than girls and older adolescents. Although parent-adolescent online contact is possible all day, very few adolescents do so.