Key Highlights
- Excessive smartphone use causes conflicts between parents and children
- Both want more family time and less screen use
- Kids are more aware of the impact of phone use
Concerns regarding smartphones’ effects on family connections are intensifying as they become more integrated into our daily lives. Vivo and CyberMedia Research (CMR) have conducted a study that clarifies the ways in which excessive smartphone use is impacting parent-child relationships. The Switch Off study’s sixth edition’s results highlight the pressing need for healthier smartphone practices and offer startling new information. Here are some of the study’s main conclusions.
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Smartphone Usage Among Parents And Children
- On average, parents spend over five hours a day on their smartphones while children spend more than four hours.
- Social media and entertainment are the main reasons for smartphone usage in both groups.
- 76 percent of parents and 71 percent of children admit they cannot live without their smartphones.
- 64 percent of children feel addicted to their smartphones, spending much of their time on social media.
Impact On Family Relationships
- Excessive smartphone usage is a source of conflict for 73 percent of parents and 69 percent of children.
- 66 percent of parents and 56 percent of children recognize negative effects on their personal relationships due to phone use.
- Both parents and children wish for more quality time together, free from digital distractions.
Desire For Change
- 75 percent of parents worry about their children’s ability to form meaningful relationships due to constant smartphone use.
- 56 percent of parents feel the need to establish healthier smartphone habits at home.
- 69 percent of families report positive outcomes when working together to set screen time limits and create phone-free zones.
Children’s Awareness And Concerns
- 72 percent of children want to use their smartphones only to stay connected with friends and family.
- Over 90 percent of children wish certain social media apps never existed.
- 76 percent of children want more meaningful connections with their parents by switching off smartphones during family time.
Also Read | Vivo Switch-Off Study: Smartphone Overuse Strains Parent-Child Bonds
Steps Towards A Healthier Digital Future
- Parental Controls: 8 out of 10 children call for ‘parental controls’ for parents’ smartphone usage, showing a need for mutual responsibility.
- Creating Phone-Free Zones: 56 percent of parents support designated phone-free areas like dining tables and living rooms.
- Switch Off Day: By designating December 20 as Switch Off Day, Vivo is promoting responsible gadget use and encouraging families to unplug and spend time together.
The Switch Off campaign encourages parents and kids to use smartphones responsibly in order to build stronger, more meaningful bonds.
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