A study has found that teenagers aged 12 to 17 feel undervalued, rejected and unimportant when their parents turn their attention to their phones while the teenagers are trying to communicate with them.
The modern phenomenon of ignoring a social interaction taking place in front of you in favour of using your phone is known as “phubbing.”
The study’s lead researcher, Don Grant, says that a parent’s phone use can cause “insecure attachment” in a child, leading to lower self-esteem and a lack of confidence.
Many studies have found that teenagers are particularly prone to compulsive and excessive use of their phones and the social media apps installed on them, such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against social media companies, alleging that their apps were designed to be addictive and caused harm to children.
However, the effects of parents’ attachment to electronic devices have been studied less extensively.
A 2023 study found that parents’ attachment to their phones makes children more prone to screen addiction, while a 2024 study found that the habit leads to more distant relationships between parents and their children.
Source: The Guardian
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