Exploring the impacts of parental technoference, this study delves into its effects on child behaviour and mental health. The term ‘technoference’ refers to habitual interferences and disruptions within interpersonal relationships or time spent together due to use of electronic devices.
Introduction
As technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, its interference in family interactions—a phenomenon known as technoference—has raised significant concerns. In the past, research has been focused on how technology use in young children may affect them, and recent evidence has made it clear that early exposure to screens can negatively affect neurological development and increase the risk of psychosocial disorders in children. Yet, we forget that parents are also on their screens a lot, so the specific impacts of parental technology usage on child behaviour remain less understood. Here, we explore recent studies to understand whether parental interactions with technology negatively influence child development. Through systematic reviews and cohort studies, the research findings highlight an urgent need to address the detrimental effects of parental technoference on the younger generation.
Technoference and Its Implications
Link Between Parental Screen Time and Child Hyperactivity and Inattention
In a recent study published last month in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers investigated the long-term relationship between parental technoference and child mental health. The study involved a longitudinal cohort where pregnant women were recruited between May 2008 and December 2010 in Canada. The study had included 1303 emerging adolescents who completed questionnaires about their perceptions of parental technoference and their mental health symptoms. They found that:
- Higher levels of parental technoference at ages 9 and 10 were linked to:
- Increased hyperactivity at ages 10 and 11.
- Increased inattention at age 11.
Associations Between Parental Technoference and Adolescent Mental Health Issues and Harmful Online Behaviours
Another comprehensive review analysed data from 61 studies on the effect of parental technoference on parent-child relationships. The study found that adolescents reporting mental health issues and harmful online behaviours, like cyberbullying, were linked to increased parental technoference, raising safety concerns. While less research has focused on other developmental impacts, these too appear negatively affected by technoference. No substantial links were identified between technoference and children’s physical health, an area that remains under-researched.
Bidirectional Dynamics of Technoference
Another critical study involving 183 families examined the longitudinal bidirectional relationships between parent technology use, parenting stress, and child behaviour. The research explored these interactions over six months, focusing on children aged 0 to 5 years. The study’s results suggest a cyclical nature of technoference:
- From Behavior to Technoference: Children exhibiting externalising behaviours tended to drive parents toward increased technology use, mediated by elevated parenting stress.
- From Technoference to Behavior: Conversely, greater technoference predicted increased externalising and withdrawal behaviours in children over time.
Relevance to Asia: Findings from Hong Kong
Parallel research within the KeySteps@JC project in Hong Kong underscores similar concerns among Asian populations. This study focused on 3-year-old children and their parents, analysing the association between parental digital technology use and child psychosocial difficulties. The research found that parental excessive digital technology use was directly linked to the child’s psychosocial difficulties. Additionally, this issue also indirectly caused problems for children through increased distractions and decreased interactions between parents and children, along with higher screen time among the kids.
Conclusion
Technoference presents a modern challenge that requires a balanced approach to technology use in family settings. As technology becomes more ingrained in our daily lives, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to help parents understand and manage the effects of technoference to safeguard the well-being of the next generation.
“We can’t assume a direct connection between parents’ technology use and child behavior, but these findings help us better understand the relationship.” shared Dr. Jenny Radesky, a child behavior expert and pediatrician at Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. She co-authored the research Technoference: Parent Distraction With Technology and Associations With Child Behavior Problems published in the journal Child Development.
“We know that parents’ responsiveness to their kids changes when they are using mobile technology and that their device use may be associated with less-than-ideal interactions with their children. It’s really difficult to toggle attention between all of the important and attention-grabbing information contained in these devices, with social and emotional information from our children, and process them both effectively at the same time.”
Healthcare professionals should offer guidance on setting boundaries for technology use, encourage active parenting, and promote engaging, technology-free activities between parents and children. As digital devices continue to pervade our lives, understanding and addressing the implications of technoference will be vital for ensuring the well-being of future generations.
References
- Deneault, A., Plamondon, A., Neville, R. D., et al. (2024). Perceived parental distraction by technology and mental health among emerging adolescents. JAMA Network Open, 7(8), Article e2428261. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.28261
- Komanchuk, J., Toews, A. J., Marshall, S., Mackay, L. J., Hayden, K. A., Cameron, J. L., Duffett-Leger, L., & Letourneau, N. (2023). Impacts of parental technoference on parent-child relationships and child health and developmental outcomes: A scoping review. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 26(8). https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2022.0278
- McDaniel, B. T., & Radesky, J. S. (2018). Technoference: Longitudinal associations between parent technology use, parenting stress, and child behavior problems. Pediatric Research, 84, 210–218. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0052-6
- Wong, R. S., et al. (2020). Parent technology use, parent–child interaction, child screen time, and child psychosocial problems among disadvantaged families. The Journal of Pediatrics, 226, 258-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.07.006
