Children who use mobile phones in excess have relationship problems with friends and family, according to a survey, the first of its kind conducted by the organization Halifax Insurance Digital Home Index.
According to the study, based on a survey conducted on 2,002 people – parents and children alike – two thirds of parents are concerned that, because of mobile phones, their children may have difficulty in communicating with others, according to dailymail.co.uk.
One third of children and adolescents up to 17 years checked their mobile phone messages several times per hour, and nearly two-thirds of them use these devices in bed before going to sleep.
“Modern technology is part of contemporary life and naturally this is reflected in the way families operate. However, it is becoming clear that a number of children and young people use technology excessively,” said educational psychologist Dr. Kairen Cullen.
Research has revealed that a third of parents and their children use mobile phones during a meal and over a third of children (37 %) use modern technology to communicate with family members while under the same roof.
Opinium Research conducted a survey involving 1,001 parents with children aged between seven and 17 years and 1,001 children aged between seven and 17 years, from the same family, between 28 January and 4 February.
Although almost three-quarters of parents said they allow children to keep mobile phones and other electronic devices in the room, 35 % said they did not know how often they are used, and over half are afraid they can’t control the phenomenon.
Surprisingly, 30 % of children claimed that the way their parents use the technology provides a negative example.
“Parents now have to adapt to a different climate of communication and work hard to ensure open and meaningful conversations with their children, who have grown up with instant messaging and social media,” added Dr. Cullen.
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