"Just Five More Minutes": Exploring Children's Perspectives on Parents' Device Use.
Saved in:
| Title: | "Just Five More Minutes": Exploring Children's Perspectives on Parents' Device Use. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Swit, Cara S., Crossen, Sarah, Kelly, Christopher, Coyne, Sarah M., van Gerwen, Jennifer |
| Source: | Journal of Child & Family Studies. Jun2025, Vol. 34 Issue 6, p1462-1473. 12p. |
| Subjects: | Social media, Smartphones, Research funding, Parent-child relationships, Interviewing, Drawing, Role playing, Work-life balance, Family relations, Psychological adaptation, Technology, Adult education workshops, Child behavior, Communication barriers |
| Geographic Terms: | New Zealand |
| Abstract: | Parents today are spending an unprecedented amount of time on their devices, potentially disrupting family dynamics. Despite their central role in family life, children's voices and perspectives on their parents' device use have been largely neglected in research. This article explores the experiences and perceptions of 6–9-year-old children (n = 20) regarding their parents' device use at home and its impact on them. Through a combination of workshops involving whole class activities, small group interviews, drawing, and role-play, the study captures children's views on parental device use. The findings reveal that children are keenly aware of the patterns and purposes of their parents' device use throughout the day, often observing the high level of absorption and preoccupation parents exhibit when on their devices. Children expressed feelings of neglect and frustration due to their parents' divided attention. These results highlight the depth of perception and awareness young children have regarding their parents' device use in the home. In the context of encouraging responsive parenting and positive parent-child interactions in a digitalised 21st century, it is crucial to recognise children as active observers and learners concerning devices and their role in contemporary family life. Highlights: This study highlights children's awareness of how devices disrupt parent-child interactions. Young children can provide critical insights into how parental device use impacts family dynamics. Parents' preoccupation with devices leads to frustrations and feelings of neglect in children aged 6–9 years. Encouraging parents to model and discuss healthy device use with young children is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Child & Family Studies is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Parents today are spending an unprecedented amount of time on their devices, potentially disrupting family dynamics. Despite their central role in family life, children's voices and perspectives on their parents' device use have been largely neglected in research. This article explores the experiences and perceptions of 6–9-year-old children (n = 20) regarding their parents' device use at home and its impact on them. Through a combination of workshops involving whole class activities, small group interviews, drawing, and role-play, the study captures children's views on parental device use. The findings reveal that children are keenly aware of the patterns and purposes of their parents' device use throughout the day, often observing the high level of absorption and preoccupation parents exhibit when on their devices. Children expressed feelings of neglect and frustration due to their parents' divided attention. These results highlight the depth of perception and awareness young children have regarding their parents' device use in the home. In the context of encouraging responsive parenting and positive parent-child interactions in a digitalised 21st century, it is crucial to recognise children as active observers and learners concerning devices and their role in contemporary family life. Highlights: This study highlights children's awareness of how devices disrupt parent-child interactions. Young children can provide critical insights into how parental device use impacts family dynamics. Parents' preoccupation with devices leads to frustrations and feelings of neglect in children aged 6–9 years. Encouraging parents to model and discuss healthy device use with young children is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 10621024 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10826-025-03089-w |
