NCT05332275 · University of Florida
A Media Parenting Prevention Intervention
What this study is about
Entertainment media commonly depict SU, and youth exposure to media SU is linked to youth initiation and progression of SU behavior.
View original scientific description
Entertainment media commonly depict SU, and youth exposure to media SU is linked to youth initiation and progression of SU behavior. Parenting practices reduce exposure to and may mitigate risk associated with media depictions of SU, thus this research proposal will build upon current understanding of effective media parenting with the end goal of developing and testing a media parenting intervention designed to reduce youth risk for SU.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Intervention Arm - T.E.C.H. Parenting
Intervention Arm participants will enroll in a web-based psychoeducational group (15 parents per group across 4 groups). Participants will receive psychoeducational information on media parenting, and they will be invited to participate in an online group discussion board to share their experiences with other parents in the intervention. In weeks 2-5, participants will learn about 4 domains of media parenting: 1) Talk to your child about media; 2) Educate your child about media-related risks; 3) Co-View/Co-Use media and technology actively with your child; and 4) establish House rules for media usage. Week 6 will review information and provide an "expert clinician" to support parent problem solving. Participants will receive 2-3 weekly push messages via text messaging prompting practice of skills learned in the group setting. Participants will be assessed at baseline, immediately following the 6 week intervention, and 3 months after the intervention is completed.
BEHAVIORAL
Control Arm - General Positive Parenting
The Control Arm of the RCT is the attention control group. These participants will enroll in a web-based psychoeducational group (four groups of 15 parents each). They will receive 6 weeks of online psychoeducational material, including 2-3 push messages prompting skill practice. Parents will have access to an online discussion board to share experiences with other parents. This group will match the intervention arm of the study in number of study staff contacts, time of start/duration of the group, peer support, and availability of a professional in week six for consultation on parenting issues. Control participants will not receive information on media parenting. Participants in this group will be assessed at baseline, immediately following the six-week intervention period, and 3 months after intervention completion. Participants will be asked about exposure to TECH Parenting content at baseline and followup to address potential contamination effects across study arms.
Primary outcome measures
Media Parenting Behavior - Parent Report
Time frame: Baseline up to Year 3
The TECH Parenting measure is a 24 item indicator of general media parenting behaviors across four 6-item subscales: Talk; Educate; Co-Use; and House Rules. This measure has demonstrated reliability and predictive value for youth online risk behaviors.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Parents must
- have at least one middle school-aged child who resides with them
- be able to read at the 6th grade level in English
- have access to the internet and a smartphone to participate in web-based intervention groups and receive intervention push messages.
Where
- Gainesville, Florida
Collaborators
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Apr 22, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations