Parents who are addicted to their phones are more likely to have spoiled children.
Parents who are constantly on their phones may be contributing to their children's misbehavior.
Scientists have discovered a link between excessive parental use of technology and behavioral problems in children. Approximately 200 families participated in a study examining the interference of technology with face-to-face interactions.
A study published in the journal Pediatric Research shows that bad behavior in children is closely linked to the mother's phone usage. Specifically, this interference during mealtimes can make children irritable, easily angered, whiny, or prone to tantrums.
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| A child's personality will be influenced by their parents' level of technology use. (Image)Daily Mail |
Recent studies show that parents use televisions, computers, tablets, and phones for an average of 9 hours a day. Of that time, one-third is spent on phones, often during family activities such as meals, playtime, and before bedtime.
Experts at the University of Michigan and Illinois State University say these are crucial periods that contribute to the formation of children's emotional and social skills.
"Children often react outwardly when faced with technological interference, rather than processing it internally," said Dr. Jenny Radesky, the lead researcher.
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| Parent-child interaction is crucial for children's social development. (Image caption:Smallville |
According to Dr. Brandon McDaniel, parents of children with outburst tendencies experience more stress. This leads them to seek solace in technology even more, ultimately worsening the child's condition.
Half of the families participating in the study reported that technology interferes with face-to-face interactions between parents and children at least three times a day. Only one in ten denied this happening in their family. Among them, they said they couldn't stop checking messages or thinking about incoming calls and texts.
This study was conducted as the city of Manchester (England) launched a campaign to address the communication problems between parents and children caused by technology. It was the first city in England to implement this plan, in which parents receive messages suggesting when they should put their phones down.
