Gaby
A new study from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa found that mothers who spend more time on social media have far fewer conversations with their children than mothers who use social media less.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
The study involved 65 children ages 2 to 5 and their mothers, according to Liz Robinson, a doctoral student at the university and the study’s lead author.
The researchers found that mothers who spent a lot of time on social media talked 29 percent less with their children during phone-free playtime than mothers who rarely used social platforms.
Robinson said mothers in the high-use group averaged 169 minutes per day on social media, while the low-use group averaged 21 minutes per day.
Although those mothers were physically present with their children, researchers suggested their attention may have been “somewhere else.”
“Often our thoughts are focused on activities that are more enjoyable for us, and for many people, engaging on social media is one of those activities,” said Kris Perry, executive director of Children and Screens, a nonprofit that helps children lead healthy digital lives.
CNN reports the researchers offered suggestions for keeping social media from interfering with parenting.
Talk to Your Kids, Even as They Grow Older
The classic advice still applies: talk to your child as often as you can to build common ground. Perry says the warmth of those connections depends in part on how much parents talk to their children from infancy through adolescence. She adds that that kind of interaction supports brain development, boosts academic performance, and improves language and communication skills.
Interaction with parents also teaches children how to prioritize. “Children are acutely aware of where their parents direct their attention and take note of it. So when our gaze is constantly fixed on a device, like a smartphone, we are essentially signaling to our children what is currently most important to us,” explained Robinson.
Always Make Time for Your Kids Throughout the Day
The researchers advised parents to set aside specific times during the day to connect with their children, and to keep those moments free from distractions.
One simple approach: decide you will give your child your full attention for the next 15 minutes, even on a busy day. Those minutes matter.
Finally, Spend Less Time on Social Media
Perry advised parents to cut back on social media use to reduce the risk of communicating less with their children.
The team says a similar study should include fathers, who also need to manage their social media use to build close, open relationships with their children.
