Why should you not use gadgets in the presence of children?

A child's behavior may change for the worse if parents actively use a smartphone in his presence, constantly watch TV, etc. It is especially important not to use gadgets during shared meals, during family games, or while getting ready for bed. These findings were shared by employees of the University of Michigan on the pages of the Pediatric Research publication.

The systematic use of electronic devices has a negative impact on adequate and real human communication. In the United States, there is even a corresponding term, “technoference,” which denotes technological interference.

Not long ago, scientists conducted a study that demonstrated the following: parents use smartphones, laptops, tablets and TVs for about 8-10 hours daily. A third of this time is devoted to smartphones (most likely due to their portability and functionality). Dads and moms do not take their eyes off the phone during meals, on a walk with the child, and at any convenient opportunity. At the same time, the baby's concepts of socialization and the emotional sphere are actively formed. As scientists believe, constant "sitting on the phone" leads to the fact that communication with their own children becomes rarer, and conversations become more aggressive (after all, children distract with their attempts to attract the attention of adults).

The study involved 337 adults with children under five years of age. Adult participants filled out a questionnaire, where they provided information about relationships within the family and the upbringing of the child. Parents had to note how many times a day they communicated with their children, how many times they refused to communicate with them because they were busy with a gadget. They also had to assess the behavior of their children, indicating the degree of their vulnerability, the frequency of bad moods and fits of anger, etc. In addition, parents were asked to analyze their own level of stress resistance and tendency to develop depressive states, determine how often their children themselves use smartphones and other gadgets.

Having carefully studied the information received during the survey, the experts came to the following conclusions: various technical devices help adults minimize stress received in general during the day, as well as as a result of the bad behavior of their own children. But significant problems were also discovered: the technology did not allow adults to communicate normally within the family, which led to an even greater deterioration in relationships with children. A child of parents who are constantly busy with gadgets is more prone to hysterics and depressive states. As a result, mothers and fathers become even more immersed in the network, a kind of circular cycle arises.

Experts are sure that systematic use of smartphones, computers and TVs has a negative impact on both parents and children. According to statistics, even one such device can interfere with normal time spent by parents with children.

Information is presented on the website https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-018-0052-6