Do digital downtime at dinner
Masterchef runner-up Dean Edwards and tech experts tell LISA SALMON how to stop devices disrupting family meals
FAMILIES sitting down for meals together can really help get everyone talking. Unless, that is, family members are interacting with their phones rather than the people they’re sitting with.
New research has found only one in five families sits down for dinner every day away from TV, phones and other devices. And the Vodafone study of 1,600 parents, with a least one child at home, discovered that trying to negotiate screen-free time causes tension, with 61% of parents admitting getting children to switch off devices is the biggest cause of household disagreement, leading to an average of two disputes a day.
But almost all parents (94%) say having a break from technology is important for family relationships, and 86% think dinner time is an important opportunity to spend quality time together. Reflecting this, more than half (55%) have imposed rules on screen time, including no phones at the dinner table.
“Screen time is a real challenge for families, especially in a post-pandemic world where we’ve become more reliant on technology than ever before,” says Carolyn Bunting, CEO of Internet Matters, which supports parents trying to navigate their children’s digital life.
“Implementing screen-free mealtimes is a great way of ensuring children have clear boundaries and allows them to see the benefits of
switching off as they engage with family face-to-face,” she continues. “A device-free dinnertime also provides parents with an opportunity to talk to their child about their online world and stay on top of what they get up to.”
Mealtimes are indeed a great opportunity to find out what’s going on in the rest of the family’s life, says
TV chef, cookbook author and Masterchef finalist Dean Edwards, who’s been trying the new Vodafone Dinnertime Skill, which activates 30 minutes of wi-fi-free digital downtime, with his daughter Indie, 12, and fiancé Liz.
“Dinner time is an amazing opportunity for families to get together around the table, enjoy food and talk about what’s going on in their lives, without reaching for tech every few minutes.”
But what’s the best way to achieve digital downtime at dinner?
Here Dean and parenting and tech experts offer their tips.
Set a good example
The Vodafone research found more than six in 10 parents have been caught out for breaking their own no-tech at the table rules, and Dean confesses: “We focus on our children being on their devices, but I’m just as guilty.
“But to have that bit of downtime to catch up and reconnect and enjoy each other’s company is really important. In terms of encouraging the others to put their devices down at the table, it starts with myself – I need to learn to put my tech down.”
And parenting coach Lorraine Thomas, chief executive of The Parent Coaching Academy, adds: “My big tip would be for parents to make sure they model that behaviour and do it as a family. Lots of young people complain that they’re expected to switch phones off, but mum or dad can have it on because there may be an important work call.”
Set boundaries with your kids
Get your children involved in the process of setting age-appropriate limits on how long they can spend online, at what times and on which platforms, suggests Carolyn.
“Set up screen-free times or rooms where screens are out of sight and therefore more likely to be out
of mind. Review these as they get older and give them the space to take responsibility for their screen use.”
Make mealtimes fun
“Make mealtimes fun,” advises Dean. “When I was growing up we always had a great time around the table.
“But it starts before sitting down –get your children involved in the cooking, mixing, chopping and stirring, and teach them new skills in the kitchen.
“Kids are much more excited about sitting around the table when they’ve been involved in the kitchen and have put the meal together.”
Bribery may be needed...
Vodafone’s research found more than half (53%) of parents bribed their children to put their device away, and Dean admits he’s been known to use a chocolate treat to get his family off their phones. “Sometimes we do need to resort to a couple of bribes, for Indie and Liz as well,” he says. “We all like our sweet treats, so rustling up a hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and cream is the best way to trade off putting the tech down in exchange for some uninterrupted time.”
Avoid using screen-time as a reward
“This will elevate the status of screentime above other activities and, like using food as a reward, may encourage children,” warns Carolyn.
Make it a challenge, not a law
How you frame the digital downtime can be crucial, and Lorraine points out: “To teenagers particularly, calls from friends are really important. So present screen-free times like a challenge for the whole family, rather than laying down the law.”
Make it a family strategy
Reflect on device strategy as a family, advises Lorraine, who suggests: “Identify specific screen-free times and put them into action for seven days. Get the whole family’s input, and show the importance of some compromise and negotiation.”
Dean Edwards is working with Vodafone Pro Broadband (vodafone. co.uk/broadband) with Alexa, which features the Dinnertime Skill to activate 30 minutes of wi-fi-free digital downtime using just a voice command.