Parent Social Media Use and Gaming on Mobile Phones, Technoference in Family Time, and Parenting Stress

Possible effects of parent phone use on parent-child interactions and child behavior are of concern, warranting research to understand parent phone use. In this survey study of 183 families with a young child (M = 2.89 years), we examined parents' phone use for texting/calling, social media (SM) use, mobile gaming (MG), and perceptions of cutting into family time; we also examined differences between mothers and fathers and associations with parenting stress. Mothers engaged in greater SM use but less MG compared to fathers; 61% of mothers and 38% of fathers used SM 31+ min per day, while 23% of fathers and 16% of mothers played mobile games 31+ min. Mothers were also more likely to feel their SM use, but not MG, cut into family time. Greater parenting stress was associated with greater MG and perceptions of SM or MG as cutting into family time. As differences were found between mothers and fathers on phone activities, it may be beneficial to adapt interventions based on type of activity and parent gender. Moreover, as perceived interference from phone use in family interactions is more likely when parents are stressed, we call for future research to consider the context/purpose of phone use and coping strategies.