If you’re often absorbed in reading online articles or replying to Whatsapp messages, putting aside some technology-free time with your child each day could be a worthwhile new year’s resolution.
“As a parent, your child no doubt comes first in your life. You work hard to ensure that their every material need is taken care of, to keep them well nourished, clean and safe. In today’s technology-driven world, however, many parents do not fully realise the value of giving their children undivided attention, without interruptions from cell phones or computers,” says behavioural psychologist Dr Jacqui Joubert, consultant to Resolution Health Medical Scheme (Resolution Health).
The dangers of distracting parenting
“It is common knowledge that distracted driving is extremely dangerous, and many people have taken a firm decision not to use their cell phones while driving. Yet how many parents consider the potential consequences of distracted parenting and whether their cell phone behaviour could be affecting their children’s development? ” says Dr Joubert.
She says that, although many would dismiss this idea as far-fetched, it is worth examining.
“Children require physical engagement with their parents including eye contact, touch and emotional participation, in order to learn the emotional, social and cognitive skills that will equip them for life. What many adults do not realise is that children notice from a very young age if their parents are too absorbed in technology or other distractions to meaningfully respond to them,” she explains.
When children become used to parents paying more attention to their cell phones than to them, it can have lasting psychosocial implications because distracted parenting may influence a child’s development.
“There are certain fundamentals in your interaction with your child that may be overlooked when you are busy on your phone, whether you are taking an important work phone call or simply playing on Facebook in your child’s presence.
“It is common knowledge that distracted driving is extremely dangerous, and many people have taken a firm decision not to use their cell phones while driving. Yet how many parents consider the potential consequences of distracted parenting and whether their cell phone behaviour could be affecting their children’s development? ” says Dr Joubert.
She says that, although many would dismiss this idea as far-fetched, it is worth examining.
“Children require physical engagement with their parents including eye contact, touch and emotional participation, in order to learn the emotional, social and cognitive skills that will equip them for life. What many adults do not realise is that children notice from a very young age if their parents are too absorbed in technology or other distractions to meaningfully respond to them,” she explains.
When children become used to parents paying more attention to their cell phones than to them, it can have lasting psychosocial implications because distracted parenting may influence a child’s development.
“There are certain fundamentals in your interaction with your child that may be overlooked when you are busy on your phone, whether you are taking an important work phone call or simply playing on Facebook in your child’s presence.
Emotional neglect
“Children need discipline and take their cue for establishing emotional boundaries and connections from their parents. Therefore, if parents are conveying the message that the cell phone takes precedence over respect for human relationships, the child is likely to feel ignored and this is akin to emotional neglect,” Dr Joubert adds.
