Mobile devices killing family conversations

MOST Australian parents think the car is a great place for a family chat but 76 per cent say their kids are usually on a mobile device when on the move, a new Galaxy poll has revealed.

Kids aged three to 16 typically use digital media on car trips, parents said, with mobile phones, tablets, computer games and television the most popular activities.

The poll, commissioned by Ford Australia, surveyed more than 1200 people and it also re- vealed it’s not just the kids hitting their screens.

Adults said when the kids aren’t in the car the non- driver is most likely ( 63 per cent) to be using a mobile device to make calls, check social media, send emails or play games.

Psychologist and social commentator Sabina Read said it was worrying that people seemed more connected to a virtual world than their own families.

“Adults are behaving in the same way. We need to ac- knowledge our own behaviour, rather than what we say, speaks volumes,” Read said.

“We’re all in the car every day so why not maximise this time in the day to listen.”

Despite the high use of mobile devices while on the move parents said they typically had quality family time while in the car ( 40 per cent).

And going on a trip somewhere new was most likely to inspire conversation en route, said 70 per cent of parents.