iParents

Well, I hope I got your attention from my last post. As I look back, I realize that my ending statement wasn't entirely true. This post isn't going to just revolve around parents and smartphones. It's going to discuss possible consequences to their own children because of their inability to put down the cell phone. (My next blog will generally discuss the developmental stages of children, tying in to this post).

For many children of a young age in this generation, this is the norm of what they see on a daily basis.
Parents are missing out on their children's lives. Indirectly and with body language, parents are telling their kids that there is an inanimate object that is much more important than the child themselves. It's very sad to me that many parents don't even realize what they are doing; almost all have no idea that they could be harming their child's developmental stages.

There was a study done by a developmental pediatric behaviorist at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Jenny Radesky and a team of her researchers conducted a study. This is how it played out: 55 caregivers (generally parents), all with 1 or more kids (ages ranging from infants to 10 years old) in a Boston fast food restaurant. Out of these 55 adults, 40 were seen using a phone or other device through the meal. 3 gave a device to entertain the youngest (or only) child. 

There has not been complete studies yet on how parents' disconnectedness with their children affects them. HOWEVER, we do know that children's developmental abilities come from interactions with their parents. They learn to vocalize, read others' emotions, language skills, and overall good social skills. But what happens when the parents face is in front of a digital device, teaching the kid that you don't need to have face-to-face conversation? According to Dr. Gail Saltz, a physician at New York Presbyterian Hospital (<http://www.nbcnews.com/health/parenting/put-down-cellphone-study-finds-parents-distracted-devices-n47431>), children who have connected sit-down meals with their families are less likely to fall into the trap of drugs, teen pregnancy, or abuse of alcohol. Also, they have that these children can earn better grades and act out less. All because both parents and kids are connected and talking face-to-face, not talking with their face to a screen.

To me, it's concerning that 5 or 6 year olds can work iPhones, tablets, etc. Why have we left ourselves come this far? Many say it's the generation we live in. Yes, I know that access to technology has been on the rise, but there is no reason to have a 5 or 6 year old believe that they need to have a phone to keep themselves entertained. We live in such a world that we need instant gratification, and so we pass that thought on to our world's youngest. 

So in conclusion, please, parents put down the phones. Disconnect with your devices and reconnect with your kids. 

References 

Alexander, B. (2014, March 9). Put Down That Cellphone! Study Finds Parents Distracted by Devices. Retrieved February 17, 2015, from http://www.nbcnews.com/health/parenting/put-down-cellphone-study-finds-parents-distracted-devices-n47431

Goodman, T. (2010, September 14). Virtual Addiction: Are You a Good Role Model for Your Child? Retrieved February 17, 2015, from http://www.safetyweb.com/blog/virtual-addiction-are-you-a-good-role-model-for-your-child/

Meadows, A. (2013, August 1). Of Phones and Parents: Why Parents Should Not Always Use Their Phones. Retrieved February 17, 2015, from http://www.business2community.com/tech-gadgets/of-phones-and-parents-why-parents-should-not-always-use-their-phones-0570700

If this video doesn't convince you to put down your phones, Nothing probably will [Motion picture]. (2014). Youtube.com.