From the Expert: How Parenting Styles Shape Internet Maturity in Teens
December 12, 2025In our From the Expert blog series, we feature leading voices from Capitol Tech's network of thought leaders contributing their fresh insights, groundbreaking ideas, and real-world experience. From innovative research to practical applications, their unique perspectives on today’s most exciting scientific and technological discoveries bring us to the frontiers of discovery and inspire us to imagine the future.
How Parenting Styles Shape Internet Maturity in Teens
By Dr. Geetanjali Jha, Digital Parenting Expert and Cyberpsychology Researcher
For centuries, the context of human development was understood based on biological, psychological (mental, emotional and cognitive), and social development (interpersonal relationships, ethics and morality). The digital era has added a fourth dimension: digital development. With teenagers averaging over seven hours of daily screen time, their online experiences shape self-worth, relationships, and emotional health. When this pillar falters, the other three invariably get imbalanced.
This reality demands a new parenting approach that extends beyond the living room into the boundless digital ecosystem.
In Indian culture parents teach their children sanskar, the moral conditioning that shapes values. Today, that conditioning must evolve into Cyber Sanskar, a modern compass guiding responsible online behavior through self-regulation, digital empathy, and ethical awareness.
A loose translation of cyber sanskar could be Internet Maturity, which is “the ability to use the internet productively, safely, and ethically.” Internet Maturity rests on three pillars:
- Online Safety Skills (recognizing threats and protecting information),
- Online Learning Skills (using technology for growth, not just entertainment), and
- Online Reputation Management (building a positive digital footprint that reflects one's values).
Internet Mature teens aren't just cautious and safe Internet users, they have the ability to use the Internet creatively, with wisdom and critical thinking. They know that the Internet is a tool, not a toy, which has the potential to enhance their lives if used with maturity and responsibility.
Raising an Internet Mature child requires digital parenting, which begins the moment your child uses their first internet-enabled device. Today's challenge is that most parents become digital parents by accident, not by choice. They rely on quick fixes like gadget bans and parental controls to keep their kids safe online. Whereas the solution is intentional digital parenting, consciously guiding and supporting rather than controlling.
My work so far has revealed that parenting styles profoundly shape children's digital development. I've examined how the five established parenting styles translate into digital contexts and their resulting impact on children's online behavior and Internet Maturity. We call them Digital Parenting Styles.
Digital parenting styles significantly impact children's online behavior. Authoritarian approaches breed rebellion and fear. Permissive styles cause poor impulse control and addiction. Uninvolved parenting increases vulnerability to dangers. Helicopter parenting undermines independence and problem-solving. Authoritative parenting, however, has balanced attention, healthy boundaries, open communication, and age-appropriate autonomy. Needless to say, this represents the gold standard in digital parenting.
But I realised that even Authoritative parents often remain reactive, addressing problems only after they occur. This is like teaching road safety after an accident. What families need is proactive digital leadership. This can be acquired through a training program I have developed “The Digital Parent Transformation Program” (DPTP).
It transforms parents from reactive control to proactive engagement through three stages:
- Discover Your Digital Parenting Style – With the help of a proprietary self-assessment called “The Digital Parenting Hat.”
- Master Authoritative Digital Parenting – Build empathy and balanced communication.
- Transform into a Digital Leader Parent – Move beyond protection to preparation.
A Digital Leader Parent doesn't just set boundaries, they co-learn and co-create with their child. They teach not merely safety, but strategy how to create content responsibly, build professional networks, manage online discussions, and maintain positive digital reputations.
Our goal is not raising children who merely survive online, but nurturing Internet Mature citizens, capable, ethical, and emotionally intelligent digital contributors.
View Dr. Jha’s Cap Tech Talk Webinar: How Digital Parenting Styles Shape Internet Maturity In Teens
Dr. Geetanjali Jha
Dr. Geetanjali Jha is a Digital Parenting Expert and Cyberpsychology Researcher based in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. As Head of Digital Parenting and Cyberpsychology Research at iMature EdTech since 2021, she has pioneered innovative work in digital citizenship and internet maturity education.
Dr. Jha's notable achievements include creating a pioneering training program for parents, called “Digital Parent Transformation Program” and co-developing the “Digital Citizenship and Internet Maturity Club” curriculum for schools, reflecting her commitment to helping families navigate the digital landscape safely and effectively.
Her published works include books like "Digital Parent Transformation" (2024) and "Digital Citizenship and Internet Maturity Stories for Children" (2023). She regularly shares valuable insights through her monthly e-newsletter "Psyche & Cyber," where she addresses emerging topics in digital parenting, cyberpsychology and digital wellbeing.
Jha holds a master’s in psychology and counselling and is a Doctor of Homeopathic Medicine.
She is a lifetime member of the Indian School Psychology Association (InSPA), and Counsellor Council of India (CCI), in addition to holding a membership with the American Psychological Association. (APA)