RESTRICTIVE DIGITAL PARENTING AND ITS PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT ON CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

As technology advances, parents are rethinking how they manage their children’s online lives. This systematic review explores the psychological effects of strict digital parenting in Pakistan, particularly on children’s emotions, behavior, relationships, and cognitive development. Using thematic synthesis of 12 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025, the review incorporates findings from urban and rural settings, covering children and adolescents aged 6–18. Five key themes emerged: emotional distress linked to parental control, behavioral shifts including covert internet use, strained parent–child relationships, gender-based disparities in digital access and monitoring, and impacts on mental health and identity formation. Findings consistently show that rigid rules such as unexplained bans on screen time or apps heighten anxiety, create emotional distance, and weaken parental trust. A lack of empathetic guidance often leads children to engage secretly online, which can hinder social and cognitive development. Additionally, girls face disproportionately intense digital surveillance, which stifles self-expression, limits autonomy, and reinforces traditional gender roles.This review situates these outcomes within Pakistan’s distinct socio-cultural, educational, and familial context. It argues for balanced, communication-based digital parenting strategies that safeguard emotional well-being while fostering responsible, confident digital engagement among youth.