A recent study has shed light on the impact of parents' smartphone usage on their children's mental health. The phenomenon, known as "technoference," occurs when digital technology interrupts interactions between parents and their children, leading to higher levels of anxiety among children aged 9 to 11.
According to the study, parents spend an average of 5.12 hours a day on their smartphones, with 68% of American parents admitting that their smartphones routinely distract them during interactions with their children. This constant distraction can result in decreased parent-child engagement, reduced ability to attend to children's needs, and more negative responses to children's behavior.
The researchers recruited 1,300 emerging adolescents aged 9 to 11 and their mothers to participate in the study. The children reported feeling frustrated when their parents spent time on their phones during interactions, and self-reported symptoms related to anxiety, depression, attention difficulties, and hyperactivity. The study found that children who perceived their parents to engage in more technoference experienced higher mental health difficulties.
The authors of the study noted that boys and girls may experience the effects of parental technoference similarly, and that children with anxiety may be more sensitive to their parents' smartphone usage. Additionally, perceived parental technoference was associated with higher levels of attention difficulties and hyperactivity in emerging adolescents.
Overall, the study highlights the potential negative impact of parents' smartphone usage on their children's mental health. As technology continues to play a significant role in family interactions, it is important for parents to be mindful of the impact of their digital habits on their children and make efforts to prioritize quality time and bonding without the distractions of screens.