Abstract

The concept of parental monitoring concerns those parental behaviours that aim to control and be aware of children activities. Such behaviours characterize and affect especially the relationship with adolescents, whose autonomy gradually increases. This literature review, besides giving the current frame of reference on the domain, takes into account those studies which highlight a close relationship between parental monitoring and risky behaviours in adolescence (alcohol and drug abuse, smoking initiation, gambling, eating disorders and risky sex).