A recent study indicates that almost 80 percent of parents are eager to disconnect from their digital devices during the holiday season to foster stronger family connections. While it often feels like a monumental challenge to pry gadgets like smartphones and tablets from children’s grasp, it appears that on Christmas Day, parents are the ones seeking a respite from screens.
According to a survey commissioned by Holiday Connect, which involved 2,000 parents, a staggering 72 percent admitted to reaching for their phones as soon as they rise on Christmas morning. Furthermore, 86 percent acknowledged their children have voiced concerns regarding their excessive phone usage, and 53 percent confessed to having missed precious moments with their kids due to being distracted by their devices.
The Impact of Gadgets on Family Interactions
The findings reveal that over 80 percent of respondents believe that having gadgets at the dinner table detracts from meaningful family interactions. “Given the noteworthy statistics we gathered, it’s not surprising that 80 percent of parents are contemplating a digital detox during the festive season,” remarked Alex Thompson, Head of Family Experiences at Holiday Connect. “While technology plays a vital role in organizing our lives and holiday shopping, it’s crucial that parents carve out time to create lasting memories with their children.”
Screen Time During the Holidays
The survey by OnePoll also reported that the typical parent spends around four hours daily on devices during the holidays, culminating in approximately 80 hours over the season. Alarmingly, more than 40 percent of parents indicated they devote more time to their phones on Christmas than on any other day of the year. Additionally, the average American household owns around 12 different gadgets, and a family of four collectively spends about 320 hours—equivalent to over 13 days—on their devices throughout the holiday period.
Encouraging Family Bonding
Encouraging families to set aside their phones and prioritize shared experiences, Holiday Connect promotes activities that can enhance family bonding. Their Rewrite the List campaign encourages individuals to incorporate at least one shared experience into their holiday wish lists. According to the survey, the top five holiday activities favored by parents include:
- Enjoying a movie together
- Attending a festive concert
- Traveling to a new destination
- Decorating the Christmas tree
- Going ice skating
For more ideas on enjoying quality family time, check out this related post.
Additional Resources
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Conclusion
In summary, as the holiday season approaches, a significant number of parents are recognizing the importance of disconnecting from their devices to create meaningful moments with their children. This aligns with the ongoing dialogue about the impact of technology on family dynamics and the necessity of prioritizing face-to-face interactions over screen time.
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