“Technoference” a Major Cause of Bad Behavior in Children

Dad, corrupting the youth” by Brandon licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: Medical News Today

A new study has identified a vital link in the relationship between child behavior and technology use.

Researchers have found that parents who interrupt family activities and conversations to check their smartphones and tablets are more likely to face behavioral issues with their children.

This “technoference,” in which technology interferes in quality time between children and their parents, occurred three or more times daily to 48 percent of the families studied.

While previous studies have illustrated the negative effects of technology use within a family, researchers are increasing their knowledge of how parental use of smartphones and tablets impacts their children.

“It’s too early to draw implications that could be used in clinical practice, but our findings contribute to growing literature showing an association between greater digital technology use and potential relationship dysfunction between parents and their children,” stated Dr. Brandon T. McDaniel, co- author of the study and assistant professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Illinois State University.

Read full story at: Medical News Today

Children & Families, Health, News
Children & Families, Health, News