Parents who are easily distracted are harming their relationships with their children

Researchers in Switzerland have found that blaming phones for deteriorating parent-child relationships may be misplaced. A study conducted by scientists at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland revealed that distractions in general, not just from digital devices, can harm the quality of interactions between parents and children.

The phenomenon known as “technoference” refers to the interference caused by digital devices, such as smartphones, on parent-child relationships. However, the study showed that whether the distraction came from a phone or any other activity, children still craved their parents’ undivided attention. The key factor was the lack of full engagement from the parent, regardless of the source of distraction.

Lead researcher Nevena Dimitrova emphasized the importance of uninterrupted parent-child interactions for maintaining a healthy relationship. The study, published in Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, involved 50 parent-child pairs divided into three groups to assess the impact of distractions on social involvement and sensitivity to communication signals.

In one group, parents were asked to play with their children for 10 minutes without any distractions. In the second group, parents were given a pen-and-paper questionnaire after five minutes of playtime. The third group received the same questionnaire but had to fill it out on a tablet while still engaging with their children. The results showed that children in the distracted groups exhibited lower levels of social involvement, and parents were less sensitive to their children’s cues.

Surprisingly, the study found that the use of a tablet instead of pen and paper made no significant difference in the quality of parent-child interactions. Dimitrova suggested that the prevalence of screens in today’s society might have desensitized children to their parents’ screen use, making it less impactful on their relationship.

The researchers challenged the common belief that screen time is solely responsible for deteriorating parent-child relationships, highlighting the importance of parental engagement in interactions. They argued against the “moral panic” surrounding screen use and emphasized the need for parents to be fully present and engaged during interactions with their children.

Overall, the study suggests that it is not the screens themselves that harm parent-child communication but rather the lack of full engagement from parents. By prioritizing uninterrupted interactions and active engagement, parents can strengthen their relationships with their children, regardless of the presence of digital distractions.