Have you heard of technoference? It’s a relatively new term to emerge from the research around our increasingly digital lives. Technoference specifically refers to how technology has influenced how we relate and connect with one another.
Many parents have seen this firsthand with their kids and how they relate to their peers or siblings, but also in their own relationships with their children. Even though most of us didn’t grow up with the same access that our kids did, we’re often just as susceptible to the addictive and distracting nature of technology, which in turn can impact how we parent in ways we may not even realize.
Today, we’re talking about technoference parenting, what it looks like, and what the best practices are for parents who want to ensure they’re raising well-rounded kids, both in the real world and on online.
What Is Technoference Parenting and Where Did It Come From?
The word technoference was coined by Dr. Brandon T. McDaniel, a research scientist at the Parkview Research Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He studies human development and family relationships, particularly the impact of digital technology on parenting and child development. It’s based on the words “technology” and “interference” — in other words, when technology causes interruptions or intrusions in our interpersonal relationships and daily interactions.
In today’s world, the use of smartphones and the internet is as normal to us as eating and sleeping. One of McDaniel’s phone tracking studies found that parents used their smartphones during 27% of the time spent with their infant, with some ranging as high as 75%. So how does this significant use of technology show up in our parenting and interactions with our children?
Real-World Examples of Technoference and Parenting
The most common example is that moment when you mindlessly reach for your phone, even while in conversation or interaction with your child, without even realizing it. Maybe you're checking a text, an email, a Facebook post, or even just the time. Dr. McDaniel calls this behavior “phubbing,” a mashup of “phone” and “snubbing.” While technoference can come from any kind of tech (TVs, tablets, smartwatches, etc.), phubbing refers to the specific behavior related to phones.
Here are some other quick examples of how technoference can occur in our daily lives:
- Checking your phone during a conversation
- Responding to notifications during dinner
- Taking a call while playing with your child
- Constant background noise of a TV show or podcast during meals or activities
- Excessively taking photos or videos of kids during activities
What Does the Research Say?
The effects of technoference parenting are wide-ranging and not always necessarily negative; however, many findings show that technoference inhibits connection and relationship. It also varies by age, as infants and young kids will react differently than teenagers when they see their parents’ tech use.
Dr. McDaniel has found two major areas where development has been impacted. First, social-emotional development, or a child’s ability to regulate and relate to others. Technoference often steals moments of eye contact, quick responses to emotional cues, or engagement in meaningful conversation. Research has found that the lack of these moments leads to kids with greater negative mood, greater anxiety or withdrawal, and greater acting out behaviors (i.e., tantrums).
The second major area is cognitive development. Several studies have found a correlation between a parent’s poor tech use and delays in language development and reduced attention spans in young children. Kids often learn these skills the most by observing and mimicking their parents. So when parents are distracted by their tech use, it limits these teaching moments for kids.
Feeling Parent Guilt? Remember, You’re Not Alone
If you’re feeling discouraged or worried about the current state of tech use in your home, we want to pause for a moment and remind you to give yourself grace. This is something tons of parents struggle with, and it’s totally understandable — this technology was designed to be a constant, attention-hogging companion for all of us, and parents are no exception. Dr. McDaniel found that many parents turn to their phones to manage stress or decompress after long days, which is nothing but a completely normal response.
But if you want to take some positive steps towards a healthier tech balance in your home and relationships, let’s take a look at some recommended tips for parents based on the research.
How To Limit the Negative Impacts of Technoference
From a bird’s eye view, the most important tip for parents is to be present with your kids. This doesn’t mean you have to ditch all tech forever to achieve this, but there are powerful habits you can implement to ensure your tech use is mindful and purposeful.
On a more practical level, here are some quick tips:
- Create phone-free zones in your home or routine (ex. No phones in the family room or no scrolling in the car).
- Create phone-free times in your home or routine (ex. No phones at dinner time or before school).
- Turn off all non-urgent notifications.
- Use airplane mode or do not disturb during quality time.
- Communicate with your child during those moments of necessary tech use. It goes a long way when kids know the why behind our actions.
- Consider deleting addictive apps, taking digital detoxes, or setting your own screen time limits. model to your kids.
Let Bark Help You Manage Technoference in Your Home
At Bark, we’re all about striking that balance of healthy tech use in the home for the whole family, not just kids. The Bark Home is a powerful tool that allows you to manage internet use for all devices and people in the house, all through your Wi-Fi router. You can block distracting apps for you and your child, or pause the internet for all devices when it’s time for those phone-free times.
Bark also offers smart tech designed specifically for kids and their online safety. Check out our suite of parental control products, including the Bark app, Bark Phone, Bark Watch, and Bark Home, to see how Bark can help meet your family’s digital lifestyle needs.
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Bark helps families manage and protect their children’s digital lives.
