Has Social Media Affected Relationships Among Families?

Editorials News | Feb-01-2023

Has Social Media Affected Relationships Among Families?

Researchers have looked into the positive and negative effects that social media has on families. Psychologists are becoming increasingly concerned that family communication is being disrupted by technology. It may deprive families of communication, attention, and a sense of security within the family. Alone Together, a book written by Sherry Turkle discusses a study that asked parents and children their thoughts on technology. The results were shocking. Numerous children expressed the perception that their parents were dependent on their electronic devices.

Children expressed a need for parents to spend quality time with them and interact with them. This study demonstrates the need for increased social interaction between families and the rise in social media addiction. Alternatively, families can stay connected through technology. It can help members keep track of their schedules and where they are, and it can also give members a sense of security knowing that parents and/or children can be reached right away if needed. Families going through a divorce or separation can benefit from more immediate face-to-face or voice contact thanks to technology.

According to a 2008 study that was published by the Internet & American Life Project of the Pew Research Center, cell phones, email, and texting allowed families to communicate with family members when they were apart, which helped them cope with the increased stress of modern life. Technology can typically result in negative or zero interaction between siblings, couples, parents, and children. It prevents the family from learning and modeling interpersonal relationship skills, communication skills, social cues, and bonds. Humans are social creatures who aspire to form bonds in relationships. Even though social media gives us the impression of being connected to others, it prevents us from hearing and seeing both verbal and nonverbal messages.

Children benefit from parents' increased screen time, according to studies. Smartphones, television, computers, and video games all played a role in these studies' screen time. Children imitate what they are taught, and it was discovered that children are more likely to engage in risky behaviors when parents use electronic devices while sitting with their children on a playground.

According to other studies on the impact of social media on families, when a parent comes home from work and finds that their children are immersed in technology, they are greeted 30% of the time and ignored 50% of the time. Additionally, when children who spent a lot of time on social media platforms reported feeling less supported by their parents.

Parents spend more time on their phones, blurring the lines between work and personal responsibilities. Too frequently, parents work from home and spend more time with their children or partners than with them. 70% of women say that their relationships are frequently disrupted by television, computers, or other electronic devices. They also say that 40% of the time, partners get distracted while talking by watching TV, and 33% of women say their partners check their phones when they're eating.

Technology has increased people's frequency of communication with family and friends, according to researchers, but this frequency and type of communication may be weaker. Kids who spend more time on technology and in front of a screen have a harder time understanding emotions, and developing relationships, and may be more dependent on others, according to studies.

By : Parth Yadav
Anand School of Excellence

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