Summary: Cell phones have changed the way we live and parent. For many parents, cell phones give them a way to manage work responsibilities, maintain social contacts, document everyday moments, and provide an escape from daily life. What is the effect of parental use of phones on a young child’s development? It’s not good. Distracted parenting is defined as “parental overuse of hand held technology, particularly cell phones and tables in the presence of children” (Carrie Shrier, Michigan State University Extension). Children often have to compete with a cell phone for their parent’s attention. Parents can be physically present but emotionally unavailable because they are involved with their phone. The constant notifications interrupt the flow of the parent and child interactions that are key to developing a child’s language, social emotional, and cognitive skills. What can you do? Reflect on your phone usage when you are with your child and become aware of how it is impacting your child’s development. Make a conscious plan and set guidelines for how you are going to manage your phone use so that you can be present and more available to your child.
