09/09/2026
Ottawa, Ontario — Wednesday September 9, 2026
Researchers have shown that social media and appearance-focused online content can contribute to body image concerns and disordered eating among adolescents. But a new study led by Jean-Philippe Chaput suggests another factor – how aware parents are of their children’s online activities – may play an important role.
“Our findings suggest that what parents know about their adolescents’ online lives may matter just as much as how much time young people spend online. While more research is needed, open communication and positive parent-child relationships may be important components of creating healthier digital environments for adolescents.”– Jean-Philippe Chaput, CHEO Research Institute Scientist
Using data from nearly 9,000 Canadian adolescents, researchers explored whether what parents know about their children’s online activities is connected to eating behaviours. They found that adolescents whose parents were less aware of their online lives were more likely to want to be thinner and to change their eating habits to manage their weight. These associations were observed in both boys and girls and remained even after accounting for screen time and other health behaviours.
Researchers suggest that parental awareness may reflect more than monitoring alone. It can also stem from open communication and positive parent-child relationships, where adolescents feel comfortable sharing details about their online lives.
The findings suggest that it’s not screen time alone that matters. Staying engaged in adolescents’ online experiences and maintaining open conversations about digital content may be an important protective factor against unhealthy eating behaviours in the digital age.