The present study aims to investigate whether parents' digital competence, parents' negative attitudes toward smartphones, and perceived parental efficacy of smartphones predict problematic smartphone use in adolescents. An online survey provided quantitative data from 102 participants. They were 63 mothers and 39 fathers were involved in the study. Problematic smartphone use in adolescents was perceived by parents, using the Problematic Media Use Measure. Parents' digital competence was measured using Digital Competence Instrument. Parents' negative attitudes towards smartphones and perceived parental efficacy were measured using the Parental Perceptions of Technology Scale. All measurements were validated in the Indonesian version. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings showed that only perceived parental efficacy negatively predicted problematic smartphone use in adolescents (B = -0.06, SE = 0.03, β = -0.24, p < 0.05). The findings suggest that when attempting to implement parenting strategies to regulate children's technology use, perceived parental efficacy may assist parents in better managing their children to minimize problematic smartphone use compared to having a negative attitude towards smartphones.