A new study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project looks at how families are using the internet and cell phones to stay connected:
The internet and cell phones have become central components of modern family life. Among all household types, the traditional nuclear family has the highest rate of technology usage and ownership.A national survey has found that households with a married couple and minor children are more likely than other household types — such as single adults, homes with unrelated adults, or couples without children to have cell phones and use the internet.
The survey shows that these high rates of technology ownership affect family life. In particular, cell phones allow family members to stay more regularly in touch even when they are not physically together. Moreover, many members of married-with-children households view material online together.
Findings include:
- Technology is enabling new forms of family connectedness that revolve around remote cell phone interactions and communal internet experiences.
- Busy and tech-using families are less likely to share meals and less likely to report satisfaction with their leisure time.
- The cell phone affords extra contact, especially for couples who want to touch base and need to coordinate their busy lives.
- The internet enables shared “Hey, look at this!” experiences.
- A majority of adults say technology allows their family life today to be as close, or closer, than their families were when they grew up.
- People say that new communication tools help them stay connected with friends and family, although their use has blurred traditional lines between “work” and “home.”
- Many people spend less time watching television thanks to the internet.
- As people spend more time working, they are less satisfied with the amount of time they can spend on their hobbies or relaxing.
You can read the whole report here.
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