Parents have been bugging their children because of their increasing use of smartphones and gadgets but unknown to them, parents spend more time on their cellphones not only in the office but even at home. With the accessibility of email and social media through smartphones, parents barely have time to look up from their screens to check out their children's lego or even homework.
A study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics shows that the increasing use of mobile technology by parents, especially around very young children, can cause negative interaction and possibly conflict with their kids. Apparently, it is not only children who should be given technology detox but even their parents and caregivers too.
The Los Angeles Times said a national survey found out that parents are more focused on their screens and spend at least nine hours every day plugged into their gadgets for personal reasons and not for work at all. This has given their children a not-so-ideal role model, especially when it comes to using technology.
Even Yalda Uhls who is a child psychologist and Smita Malhotra who is a pediatrician, admitted they have had to shoo away their young children when they have to answer their emails. Uhls said it would a good idea to get parents and children to agree on a family media agreement not only to help the kids but also their parents monitor their use of technology.
Psych Central said parents use their mobile phones almost anywhere, not only when they are at home with their children but even when they are in playgrounds or doing their groceries. Putting the phone away will however allow parents to focus more on what their children are doing and saying, and help build their self esteem. Even babies become happier when their parents make eye contact with them and this goes for toddlers and older children too.
Science Daily said research shows that parents juggle their time between work and parenting. However, there are times that parents unknowingly noticed that they are still at work even when they are looking after their children.
"Parents are constantly feeling like they are in more than one place at once while parenting. They're still 'at work.' They're keeping up socially. All while trying to cook dinner and attend to their kids," author and child behavior expert Jenny Radesky said.
