Digital parenting programs aim to increase program access, improve psychosocial outcomes for parents and children, and support triage to targeted interventions where required. This meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of online parenting programs in improving parenting skills and capabilities, and by consequence, the mental health and well-being of parents and children, and the quality of the parent–child relationship. Studies were included if they were: (1) online, (2) self-delivered, (3) designed for universal general population prevention, (4) evaluated experimental or quasi-experimental designs, and (5) assessed parent and child emotional and/or relational health, from pregnancy to 5 years of age. A systematic search of electronic databases and grey literature identified 22 studies that met inclusion criteria, including 24 independent samples, with 5671 unique parents. Meta-analyses were conducted using random effects models and Cohen’s d effects. Small-to-moderate improvements in parent depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and social support were observed. No effects on parent stress, satisfaction, or parent–child relationship quality were observed. Meta-regression and sub-group analysis were conducted to identify sensitivity or moderation effects. Collectively, findings suggest any benefits of online parenting programs mostly occur at the time of the intervention, for parent mental health and well-being outcomes, and that enduring effects are unlikely. However, given the cost effectiveness and accessibility of online programs, further research into ways of sustaining effects on parenting outcomes is warranted. Furthermore, given the centrality of the parent–child bond to child development across the lifecourse, additional investment in new digitally facilitated approaches focusing on this bond are likewise warranted.

PROSPERO registration CRD42021275647.

数字育儿计划旨在增加计划的可及性，改善父母和儿童的心理社会结果，并在需要时支持有针对性的干预措施的分类。这项荟萃分析评估了在线育儿计划在提高育儿技能和能力方面的功效，从而评估了父母和孩子的心理健康和福祉以及亲子关系的质量。如果研究符合以下条件，则纳入研究：（1）在线，（2）自行交付，（3）设计用于普遍的一般人群预防，（4）评估实验或准实验设计，以及（5）评估父母和儿童的情绪和情绪/或关系健康，从怀孕到 5 岁。对电子数据库和灰色文献的系统检索确定了 22 项符合纳入标准的研究，其中包括 24 个独立样本，有 5671 个独特的父母。使用随机效应模型和 Cohen's d效应进行荟萃分析。观察到父母抑郁、焦虑、自我效能和社会支持有小到中度的改善。没有观察到对父母压力、满意度或亲子关系质量的影响。进行荟萃回归和亚组分析以确定敏感性或调节效应。总的来说，研究结果表明，在线育儿计划的任何好处大多发生在干预时，对父母的心理健康和福祉结果而言，并且不太可能产生持久影响。然而，考虑到在线项目的成本效益和可访问性，有必要进一步研究对养育结果产生持续影响的方法。此外，鉴于亲子纽带对儿童整个生命周期发展的中心地位，同样有必要对关注这种纽带的新数字化促进方法进行额外投资。

PROSPERO 注册号CRD42021275647。