Proof phones are tearing families apart

A NEW study has illustrated how smartphones are tearing families apart.

According to the findings, 83% of parents say the devices cause the most problems at home – and are responsible for 40% of parents’ arguments with their children.

However, less than one in three parents intervene to stop their children using smartphones.

The survey was carried out by Center Parcs Ireland on 636 parents around the country with children aged 16 and under.

The study also found that children in Ireland spend an average of three hours per day using technological devices – with 8% (around one in 12) spending six hours or more a day on them.

Three out of four of children under 16 own at least one web-enabled device, with a tablet being the most popular (56%), followed by a smartphone (47%).

According to the findings, more than half of parents are unhappy with the amount of time their children spend using technology, with one in four of those revealing that an addiction to social media, online games and YouTube was their biggest concern for their children, while 15% said that their biggest concern was that it was anti-social and unhealthy.

Dr Colman Noctor, a child and adolescent psychoanalytical psychotherapist, said the most likely outcome for parents who intervened with their child and technology was an argument, so it was not surprising that parents were hesitant to come between their child and their devices.

‘The research reveals that family rituals play an important role in providing structure to family life,’ he said.

‘Technology that is not made to be viewed in isolation, such as the TV, provides the opportunity for a family ritual such as a weekly movie night.

‘This brings family members together to create opportunities for togetherness, and in a busy world it may be necessary to schedule these opportunities.’ While 72% of parents in Ireland frequently feel truly connected to their children, the research reveals that the best way to achieve this is through taking the time to play with them.

The study also found that children in Ireland spend an average of three hours per day using technological devices and that mothers were more likely to find limiting their children’s use a challenge when compared with fathers.

Children were also found to spend 21 hours a week using tech devices compared to four hours doing extra-curricular activities.

The new findings come just a week after a primary school in Co. Kerry implemented an all-out ban on smartphones at school and at home. Almost two weeks on since staff and parents of pupils at Co. Kerry’s Blennerville National School agreed to the ban on smartphones and similar devices, the experiment has been hailed a huge success by all involved.

Parents say they have seen their children’s performance and moods improve, with many adding that their youngsters have been showing a renewed interest in family time, outside activities, sport or communal games.

The experiment’s success is a strong vindication of the Mail’s ‘Protect Our Kids Online’ campaign for a minimum age for smartphone ownership.

And it is a hammer-blow to the tech industry apologists and political handwringers who have spent months claiming such measures are unnecessary or unworkable.

A parent of one schoolgirl said: ‘I have seen a huge change. She’s interested in doing family things with us again and not being alone with that screen.’

‘I have seen a huge change in her’