Resumen

The aim of this study was to analyze the differences between the communication of parents and adolescent children, and the problematic mobile phone use in rural and urban areas of the department of Tolima. In the exploratory study with a cross-sectional design, 300 adolescents between 13 and 18 years old participated, to whom the sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale (PACS) and Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale (MPPUSA), was applied. The results show an association between the perception of quality in communication with the mother and the area of residence. Regarding mobile phone use, pre-adolescents and adolescents make differential use; although no association was evidenced between the degree of mobile phone use and the place where they live. In conclusion, perceiving excellent communication with parents is not a determining factor of the type of mobile phone use (moderate or problematic), it is possible that children's perceptions of parenting styles influence the use of technology. Even so, more research is required to support the findings.