Family-Based Preventive Interventions for Problematic Internet Use Among Children and Adolescents: Protocol for a...

Problematic internet use among children and adolescents is a major public health concern. In this protocol, it is defined as construct encompassing problematic gaming, social media use, smartphone use, and undifferentiated use, characterized by impaired control, prioritization, and persistence despite harm. It is associated with academic, sleep, and psychosocial difficulties. However, preventive interventions-particularly family-based-remain underexplored despite evidence linking parenting and family functioning to risk. This protocol outlines systematic review and meta-analysis of family-based preventive interventions among children and adolescents (6-18 years). Randomized controlled, quasi-randomized, cluster-randomized, and quasi-experimental studies with parallel comparison groups will be included. Comparators defined as no intervention, waitlist, usual care, or non-family-based prevention. Searches will be conducted in CENTRAL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CiNii Research, supplemented by reference screening. Risk-of-bias will be assessed using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I. Primary outcomes include changes in overall and subtype-specific severity; secondary outcomes include use time, family functioning, and parental involvement. Random-effects meta-analyses with Hartung-Knapp adjustment will be conducted when ≥3 homogeneous studies are available; otherwise, findings will be synthesized narratively following the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis guideline. This review will synthesize current evidence and clarify role of family-based prevention, informing research and public health strategies.