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When it comes to screen time, parents may be modeling the same behaviors they’re trying to limit.

Parents tend to be less responsive and sensitive to children's bids for attention when on devices.

Research finds parental technology use in children's presence is associated with a range of negative outcomes.

Today’s parents are continually looking for the best ways to manage their children’s technology use. Much of the conversation has focused on children's screen time: How much screen time is too much? What content are they watching? What limits should be put in place?

More recent recommendations, including those from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), have moved away from strict time-based guidelines towards recommendations for creating healthy media habits. Nevertheless, most recommendations still offer little guidance for parental screen use, despite emerging research suggesting this could be a part of the equation. An important question to explore then is: What are children learning about technology from watching their parents use it?

Impact of Parental Phone Use on Child Interactions

Young children constantly make bids for connection by asking their parents questions, telling stories, needing help, and seeking reassurance. The way a parent responds to these bids is foundational in building a strong parent-child relationship. Unfortunately, research shows it can interfere with responsive interaction.

In a recent observational study of parents........

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