Parental technoference

Overuse of phones or tablets in the presence of a child can affect their development and behaviour. What are the effects of technoference and how can they be avoided?

Additional reading on this topic:

• How to manage and use screens as a family (in French)
• Managing screen use: Advice for parents
• Turning screen time into family time
• Screens and children
• Parents’ screen use: Striking the right balance (in French)

What is technoference?

Technoference is when an interaction between two people is disrupted because one of them starts using their phone or another device with a screen.

This happens, for example, when a parent stops playing with their child to answer messages, uses their phone at the table, or watches videos while their child is playing at the park.

Consequences of technoference

Studies show that parents who are often distracted by their phones are less attentive to their children’s emotions and needs and don’t respond to them as quickly.

These parents also tend to provide less guidance to help their child learn (e.g., naming their emotions, giving them instructions to succeed at a task). In addition, they use simpler, shorter sentences.

Being absorbed by a screen in your child’s presence can also negatively impact the quality of the parent-child relationship. When a parent focuses on their phone rather than on their child, it can make their child feel less important. There’s less interaction overall, and the parent may tend to show less warmth towards their child. They are also more likely to overreact if their child interrupts them while they’re using their phone.

All of this can negatively affect the child’s development and behaviour. For example, the child might:

• have difficulty managing their emotions and/or developing good relationships with others
• use disruptive behaviour to get attention
• have a smaller vocabulary

In addition, when parents use mobile devices, it increases the likelihood of their child getting injured, especially in public places. When parents are on their phones, they’re less vigilant than usual, and don’t keep as close an eye on their children. At the park, for example, this could result in a toddler falling off a piece of playground equipment before their parent has time to intervene.

Tips for limiting the effects of technoference

• When playing with your child, get into the habit of leaving your cell phone in another room. That way, you won’t be tempted to check it out of habit.
• Set your phone aside at key moments of the day, such as during your child’s bedtime routine or when they get home from daycare. These are times when your child needs to connect with you.
• Don’t use mobile devices at the table. During family meals, turn them off and put them out of reach.
• Disable notifications so you won’t be disturbed when you’re spending time with your child.
• Put your device down and look at your child right away when they’re talking to you or trying to get your attention.
• When you’re with your child, try to pick up your phone only when you have a specific purpose in mind (such as making a phone call, doing an online search, or checking your banking app) rather than just using it to check social media, for example.
• Choose to give your full attention to your child, even if you’re doing something with them that you don’t enjoy all that much. Resist the lure of your phone.
• Check the weekly screen time report on your phone to see how much time you’re spending on it.

Things to keep in mind

• Using your phone too often around your child can reduce your capacity to understand and respond to their needs.
• Technoference can have adverse effects on a child’s development and behaviour.
• Scheduling screen-free time is a great way to spend quality time with your child and deepen your relationship.

Scientific review: Audrey-Ann Denault, Researcher and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team July 2025

Photos: GettyImages/mheim3011 and ~UserGI15613517