Technology has become a staple part of our lives, especially with the younger generation, who are spending hours and hours on their smartphones. A new study, conducted by Center Parcs Ireland, has discovered the real impact technology has on family life.
Children are spending up to three hours a day on technological devices, with 75 percent of under 16s admitting to owning a smartphone, tablet or similar device.
With children spending more time than ever before on smartphones, parents can’t help but worry that it is damaging the family bond.
Dr Colman Noctor shared that spending quality time together is vital for family member’s happiness, “Quality time spent as a family unit is a key contributor to the overall happiness a family feels. In the contemporary world, however, it is not unusual to observe families who all spend meal times on devices communicating with other people and all watch TV in separate rooms.”
He added, “The research proves that this extensive use of technology is a source of conflict for many Irish families, a challenge to quality time and thus the level of happiness a family experiences.”
Over half of parents involved in the study revealed that they are disappointed by the amount of time their children are spending on their smartphones, especially because of cyber-bullying. They believed that spending so much time online has had a negative impact on their children’s mental health and makes them anti-social.
With children spending an average of 21 hours a week online, it’s understandable that parents are concerned about their family’s bond. 83 percent of parents said they find the use of social media in the home to be a personal challenge.
Parents stressed the importance of spending time together and keeping up family traditions like movie nights or having dinner together without smartphones.
“The research reveals that family rituals play an important role in providing structure to family life. Technology that is not made to be viewed in isolation such as the TV provides the opportunity for a family ritual such as a weekly movie night.”
