Children as young as seven are being weaned onto technology by gadget-happy parents, despite more than half feeling the pressure on family relationships, according to new research.
Parenting on Female First
The Halifax Insurance Digital Home Index found a third of 7-8 year-olds, two thirds of 9-11 year olds, and nearly nine in ten of 12-14 year olds now own a mobile phone. However, 60% of parents feel that the amount of time kids spend using technology is impacting on time spent with family and friends.
The second annual Halifax Insurance Digital Home Index explores technology usage among 1,000 parents and their children aged 7-17 in order to understand how technology is influencing family life.
The study found that today’s children each own an average of £924 worth of electronic devices, and a third check their phone for messages several times an hour. Two thirds of children even admit to using their devices in bed, including mobile phones and tablets, raising concerns that youngsters are finding it difficult to switch off.
This ‘always on’ attitude is causing a shift in family dynamics, as over a third of children are even using technology to communicate with family members while under the same roof, and a third of parents and their children confess to using technology devices at the dinner table.
However, 30% of children claim their parents’ technology usage sets a bad example to them, with weary parents spending an average of three hours a day watching television and 68% using their technology devices whilst with their kids.
Dr. Kairen Cullen, chartered educational psychologist, said: “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.
“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. Virtual communication is never going to substitute face-to-face family contact, though and parents are well placed to encourage sensible and balanced use of online facilities in a way that includes time fully ‘offline’, and supports family dynamics.”
Digital parenting
Technology is also influencing parenting practices, as two thirds admit they use gadgets to keep children entertained, although over half are concerned over how much time their child spends using devices.
Despite almost three quarters allowing kids to keep devices in their room, 35% of parents admit they don’t know how their children use them, while more than half are concerned that they cannot control their usage.
Cost of technology
As children now own nearly £1,000 worth of devices each, many parents are concerned their child may lose their gadgets or damage them. Despite this, over a third of parents either don’t have insurance cover for their devices, or don’t know if they are covered.
Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance, says: “Clearly today’s kids are more tech-savvy than ever, and parents are more than happy to ensure that their children stay at the forefront of the technological revolution.
“However this means the contents of both homes and rucksacks are increasing in value with the latest devices, and failure to ensure they are adequately insured both inside and outside the home could result in a significant hole in parents’ pockets.”
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