How tech devices are affecting your child’s social development

A national survey conducted by Optus shows 64 per cent of parents are concerned about the amount of screen time their child has.

Tech devices are cheating Australians of the opportunity to learn how to socially interact, with many families staring at their screens at dinner tables, restaurants and other social events instead of making conversation.

A national survey conducted by Optus shows 70 per cent of adults are having three or more hours of screen time outside of work every day.

While 64 per cent of parents are concerned about the amount of screen time their child has.

Jill Sweatman, neuroscience strategist in learning and development, said screens have become the new parent with many families struggling to maintain a sense of harmony.

Many parents are concerned about the amount of screen time their child has.

“It has affected almost all families with screen time continuing to increase, often with little supervision,” she said.

“We are seeing this occur in younger children who are today reaching for their devices compulsively, which in turn is resulting in children presenting with ADHD symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, lack of focus, poor behaviour being only a few of the detrimental evidence of the result of too much screen time.”

Child psychologist and founder of Parentshop, Michael Hawton, said children taking their device to bed with them was a common problem.

“Research shows that kids who don’t have their phones with them overnight actually sleep better - and they are less anxious,” he said. “This is a rule parents can enforce.”

Marie-Claire Abdullah and her children Georgia, 16, and Jonathon, 14. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The survey found 55 per cent find the idea of giving their kids a digital detox by switching the internet off very or somewhat appealing.

And with laptops, tablets and phones the centrepiece of school and social life, mum-of-two Marie-Claire Abdullah said it was important for parents to understand where to draw the line and implement rules for devices.

“We create tech-free zones around the home and I like to make sure no devices are in sight, especially at the dinner table,” she said.

“We play a board game every Friday evening and spend time outdoors on the weekends.”

In an effort to reduce screen time and allow households to take a digital breather, Optus has introduced Optus Pause, which allows customers to pause their mobile and home Wi-Fi connections as part of its Living Network campaign.

The Living Network provides a number of innovative in-app features - including Donate Your Data and Optus Call Translate - that aim to improve our connectivity, both digitally and personally.

Optus’ managing director of marketing and revenue Matt Williams said the feature is “an Australian-first innovation.”

“It empowers customers to pause their mobile and home connectivity across their devices to ensure they’re enjoying the time that matters most to them,” he said.

Ms Sweatman said a digital detox enables the brain and the body to reset and recover.

“All family members should participate,” she said.