Study Links Unequal Parenting to Internet Addiction in Chinese Teens

October 5, 2026 - 09:48

A new study has found that adolescents who believe their parents treat them differently from their siblings may face a higher risk of internet addiction. The research, conducted among Chinese teenagers, examines how perceived parental differential treatment shapes behavior and what psychological factors sit behind that connection.

Researchers focused on two key elements: self-esteem and fairness perception. The findings suggest that self-esteem acts as a bridge. When teenagers feel their parents favor a brother or sister, their sense of self-worth tends to drop, and that lower self-esteem appears to increase the likelihood of problematic internet use.

Fairness perception plays a moderating role. Adolescents who view the unequal treatment as justified or understandable seem less affected by it. Those who see the difference as unfair appear more vulnerable to the same downward spiral of diminished self-esteem and heavier reliance on online activity.

The study adds to a growing body of work on how family dynamics influence digital habits during the teenage years. It suggests that parents who notice signs of internet overuse might also examine whether their children feel shortchanged at home. Addressing perceptions of favoritism, rather than focusing only on screen time, could be a meaningful step in prevention.

Researchers note that the design captures associations rather than direct cause and effect. Still, the pattern points to self-esteem and fairness as important pieces of the puzzle, offering families and educators a clearer view of why some teenagers retreat into the internet and others do not.