Designing and Compiling a Special Parenting Package to Use Digital Technology in Iranian Children and Adolescents

Javad Alaghband  Rad; Anahita  Karamooz; Vandad  Sharifi; Farzaneh  Raaii

doi:10.18502/ijps.v20i4.19681

Javad Alaghband Rad Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Anahita Karamooz Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Vandad Sharifi Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Farzaneh Raaii Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v20i4.19681

Keywords: Children and Adolescent; Cultural Characteristics; Digital Technology; Education; Parents

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to design and validate a culturally tailored educational package for Iranian parents of children and adolescents aged 0 to 18. The package addresses the safe and effective use of a range of digital technologies, including social media, online games, and educational applications. It focuses on enhancing parents’ knowledge, monitoring capabilities, and strategies to mitigate digital risks, with consideration of Iranian cultural values and family dynamics.

Method: The content was developed through a review of literature across multiple English and Persian databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Iran Medex, Magiran, and SID. Relevant keywords and MeSH terms related to parenting, digital technology, and cultural adaptation were used. Cultural appropriateness was ensured through consultations with a panel of experts in psychiatry, child development, and digital education, along with qualitative input from Iranian parents via focus groups and interviews.

Results: The finalized educational package comprises 12 well-structured chapters covering topics such as digital literacy, online safety, parental supervision, balancing screen time, effective family communication, and related legal and ethical issues contextualized for Iranian society. The package achieved high content validity, with all chapters scoring above 0.79 on the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR).

Conclusion: This culturally adapted package offers an evidence-based resource that empowers Iranian parents by increasing their awareness, sharpening their supervisory and communication skills, and supporting the healthy and responsible use of digital technologies among their children. Future steps include pilot testing and evaluating the package’s effectiveness and scalability in real-world settings.