The rapid growth of digital technology use among adolescents and the psychological and social consequences associated with excessive screen exposure highlight the need to examine the family and individual factors influencing this behavior. Helicopter parenting, as a modern parenting style characterized by excessive control and involvement, may shape adolescents’ compensatory behaviors in digital environments. Additionally, attachment styles and fear of missing out (FoMO) are key psychological constructs that can influence patterns of screen use among adolescents. This study aims to examine the fit of a structural model explaining the relationship between helicopter parenting and adolescents’ screen exposure, with the mediating roles of attachment styles and FoMO.



This research employs a descriptive–correlational design. The study population consists of male and female high school students (secondary level) in Tehran during the 2024–2025 academic year. A multi-stage cluster sampling method will be used to select the sample. The research instruments include the Evaluating the Screen Exposure of Adolescents Scale (ESEA), the Helicopter Parenting Instrument–Short Form (HPI-S), the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), and the Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMO). Data will be analyzed using structural equation modeling.



The findings of this study are expected to provide deeper insights into the familial and psychological mechanisms influencing excessive screen exposure and offer a basis for designing effective educational and preventive interventions for schools and families.