Teens say parents’ overuse of mobile phones disrupts family life

A survey of secondary school students has revealed that the overuse of mobile phones by parents is damaging family life.

The research, carried out by Digital Awareness UK and the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, revealed that 36% of 11 to 18-year-olds had asked their parents to put down their phones. Of those who had asked their parents to stop checking their digital devices, 46% said their parents failed to do so and 44%  of young people reported feeling upset and ignored. However, just 10% of parents believed their mobile use was a concern for their children - despite the fact that 43% felt they spent too much time online. There was further disparity between the teens and adults surveyed, with 14% of young people saying that their parents were online at meal times and 95% of 3,000 parents (polled separately) denying this bad habit. Adults did admit to being on their device between three and five hours a day at weekends (37%) and 5% said it could be up to 15 hours a day at weekends. Teens responding to the survey said meal times should be device-free (82%) and 22% said the use of mobiles stopped their families from enjoying each other's company. Join the conversation on Twitter @HerFamilydotie