The association of mobile touch screen device use with parent-child attachment: A systematic review

Author Identifier

Stephen R. Zubrick

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6369-1713

Desiree Silva

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4454-466X

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Ergonomics

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

39752

Funders

Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship

Australian Research Council

Grant Number

ARC Number : CE140100027

Comments

Hood, R., Zabatiero, J., Zubrick, S. R., Silva, D., & Straker, L. (2021). The association of mobile touch screen device use with parent-child attachment: A systematic review. Ergonomics, 64 (12), p. 1606-1622.

https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2021.1948617

Abstract

Mobile touch screen devices (smartphones and tablet computers) have become an integral part of many parents’ and children’s lives, with this interaction linked to physical, mental and social outcomes. Despite the known importance of parent-child attachment, evidence on the association between device use and attachment was yet to be reviewed. Following protocol pre-registration, databases were searched, papers screened, and methodological quality assessed. Three papers met the inclusion criteria, and reported some negative associations between duration of parent/child smartphone use and attachment outcomes. A narrative synthesis on two groups of related papers found child time using any screen technology (including television viewing), and child ‘problematic’ internet, mobile phone, gaming and social media use, was negatively associated with attachment outcomes. Currently there is limited direct evidence on any association between time parents or children spend using these devices and parent-child attachment to support time guidelines for families and professionals working with families. Practitioner summary: Many parents and children regularly spend time using smartphones and tablet computers. This systematic review found limited evidence evaluating associations between child/adolescent or parent time using devices and parent-child attachment. Until quality evidence exists, practitioners should be alert to potential impacts of device use on family relationships and child outcomes.

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2021.1948617

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