Technology can both improve and hinder family relationships, survey says
Posted in: Internet Use/New Technologies at 09/07/2011 19:24
Cambridge University has released a report on how information and communication technology affects family life. The study analyzed questionnaires from 1,000 families each in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and China. The conclusion: Technology can both improve and hinder family relationships. That sounds vague, but there is something to learn from the study about how to manage technology to keep a happy home.
First, some interesting findings: In the U.K., U.S. and Australia, most survey respondents preferred to communicate face to face -- without technology. But in China less than 50% of those surveyed preferred to communicate face to face, with respondents choosing text messaging as a clear second choice. (Anecdotally, I know more and more Americans who agree with the Chinese on this. My 19-year-old babysitter never answers her phone but responds to a text message in minutes, no matter the time of day).
latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/07/skyping-with-grandma-and-texting-at-the-dinner-table-a-new-report-examines-the-effect-of-technology-.html
