Background. A number of parenting programs, aimed at improving parenting
competencies, have recently been adapted or designed with the use of online
technologies. Although web-based services have been claimed to hold promise for
parent support, a meta-analytic review of online parenting interventions is lacking.
Method. A systematic review was undertaken of studies (n = 19), published between
2000 and 2010, that describe parenting programs of which the primary components were
delivered online. Seven programs were adaptations of traditional, mostly evidencebased,
parenting interventions, using the unique opportunities of internet technology.
Twelve studies (with in total 54 outcomes, Ntot parents = 1,615 and Ntot
children = 740)
were included in a meta-analysis. Results. The meta-analysis showed a statistically
signifi cant medium effect across parents outcomes (ES = 0.67; se = 0.25) and child
outcomes (ES = 0.42; se = 0.15). Conclusions. The results of this review show that
web-based parenting programs with new technologies offer opportunities for sharing
social support, consulting professionals and training parental competencies. The metaanalytic
results show that guided and self-guided online interventions can make a
signifi cant positive contribution for parents and children. The relation with other metaanalyses
in the domains of parent education and web-based interventions is discussed.