The impact of phones on children: How does parents' phone use affect children?

In the era of ubiquitous smartphones, it is difficult to imagine everyday life without their company. For many of us, the phone has become an indispensable tool both at work and in private life. However, for parents of young children, the constant presence of these devices can have less obvious but significant consequences. So how? using phones by parents affects children? Have you ever wondered how often, when spending time together with your child, your attention wanders towards the screen?

These are important questions that may have long-lasting implications for your children's development and your relationship with them. We invite you to read the article in which we will delve into the use of smartphones by parents in the presence of children, analyzing both the risks and proposing practical solutions that can help build healthy family relationships in the digital era.

Parental phone use: what's the problem? 

Abuse of the phone by parents, although it may seem harmless at first glance, may have serious consequences for the child's emotional and social development. However, before we get to the consequences of excessive phone use, let's focus on the term itself: overusing the phone in the presence of a child.

Such distracted attention can reduce the quality and quantity of engaging interactions, which are crucial for a child's emotional and cognitive development.

Psychological and social reasons for parents reaching for the phone

Parents often use phones as tools to manage everyday matters, communicate and relax. It is also a way to quickly access support and information related to parenting. The phone can serve as a short-term escape from pressure and responsibilities, which is understandable in the context of everyday stress and fatigue.

Let us remember that early parenthood may be accompanied by a feeling of isolation from previous social and professional life, which is often intensified by the challenges of caring for a small child. Both mothers and fathers may also experience symptoms of mood disorders, including postpartum depression. In such cases, the phone becomes a window to the outside world, enabling contact with friends, family and even access to online support groups.

The impact of the telephone on the child's emotional and cognitive development

You should be aware that a parent's use of the phone may have a significant impact on the child's emotional and cognitive development. The early years are a key period when children learn through observation, imitation and interaction with their parents.

A phone that distracts a parent can limit these important processes, leading to delays in emotional and cognitive development. For example, a parent's failure to respond to a child's messages or emotions may make it difficult for the child to understand his or her own feelings and emotional regulation.

The negative effects of a parent's use of a telephone on a child also include:

• problems with developing language skills;
• problems with concentration;
• difficulties in establishing relationships with peers;
• social and emotional development disorders;
• aggressive behavior, impulse control problems and lower self-esteem.

The development of social skills requires practicing many social interactions, which are shaped in the first years of a child's life by observation and imitation of caregivers. Children whose parents are often busy on the phone may not have as many opportunities to acquire such key skills, which may lead to difficulties in the social and emotional area in kindergarten and school, where cooperation and communication are essential.

Using your phone while breastfeeding and the impact of the phone on the child

Breastfeeding is not only a moment of nourishment for your baby, but also a key opportunity for building deep emotional bond between mother and child. 

This time is characterized by mutual eye contact, touch and warmth, which is fundamental for the development of a sense of security and the formation of healthy attachment patterns that influence all the child's future interpersonal relationships.

Using your phone while breastfeeding can significantly disrupt this extremely important process. In addition:

• A woman focused on the phone screen instead of the child may not notice signals sent by the baby, such as attempts to make eye contact or other non-verbal messages.
• Mother's distraction can affect feeding efficiency, because proper positioning and response to the baby's needs are crucial for effective sucking and digestion.
• Long term, phone use while breastfeeding and the resulting lack of engagement may also impact mother's emotional health, increasing feelings of guilt or inadequacy.

Why is it important to limit screens around your child and how can you achieve it?

To effectively limit the use of screens in the presence of children, parents can implement a few simple rules and strategies, which we can read more about on the campaign website  "Close to the phone - far from the child" run by We Empower Children Foundation. Here are a few of them:

Phone-free zones

Set up screen-free zones at home, such as a meal table, a child's room or a reading corner. The next step is to establish “screen-free time,” especially during key moments of the day such as meals, playtime, and getting ready for bed.

Limiting phone use

Consider whether you need to use your phone now or if it can wait. If you must, spend a minimum amount of time on it.

Don't keep your phone with you all the time

The rule of having a fixed place where you put your phone when interacting with your child can help limit its use.

Turn off notifications on devices

Reducing notifications will reduce distractions for both you and your child. Additionally, turning off notifications on your devices can help minimize the temptation to constantly check your phone.

Communicate your actions

If using the phone is essential, explain the reason to your child so that they understand and don't feel ignored. It is also worth explaining to the child why and for what purpose the phone is used, in order to teach him a conscious and responsible approach to technology.

These simple rules can significantly improve the quality of time spent together and contribute to the child's healthy emotional and social development.

Conscious parents and healthy child development

The impact of cell phones on children is a topic we deal with every day. The public interest in the foundation's problem and the emerging social campaigns increase its social importance. One of them is the campaign "Close to the phone - far from the child" led by We Empower Children Foundation. This campaign supports building a safe environment for children in the digital environment, and also offers valuable tips that can help parents understand and change their habits.

Conscious parenting in the digital age is a challenge, but also an opportunity to build strong, healthy relationships with children. Let every decision to use the phone in the child's presence be carefully considered so that the technology serves development and not becomes an obstacle. It's the small steps that can lead to big changes in our children's lives, influencing their future in a positive way.

Źródła:

We Empower Children Foundation. "How does the use of phones by parents affect children - the 'Close to the phone - far from the child' campaign. [https://fdds.pl/o-fundacji/co-nowego-w-fundacji/jak-korzystanie-z-telefonow-przez-rodzicow-wplywa-na-dzieci-kampania-blisko-telefonu-daleko-od-dziecka.html, accessed: 21.06.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX.];

Dziemidowicz, Ewa. Family and screens: Relationships and safety in the world of new technologies. Prepared by graph. Norbert Grzelka. Illustr. Arobal. Ed. Lena Marciniak-Cąkała, Zuzanna Żółtowska, Agnieszka Zygmunt, Zofia Żółtek. Warsaw: Empowering Children Foundation, 2020.