Yep…it’s not just their direct screen time. Your use of technology while you’re in their presence may matter too. Children are sponges in their younger years, both mirroring your behaviors and absorbing what and how you respond in different situations. That means your behaviors and your “presence” really count.
And with phones, tablets, and other devices now such a normal part of everyday life, researchers are increasingly looking beyond how much screen time children get themselves. They’re also asking what happens when parents use devices while caring for and interacting with their children.
In May 2025, researchers from the University of Wollongong in Australia published a systematic review and meta-analysis in JAMA Pediatrics examining parental technology use in the presence of young children. The researchers reviewed studies involving children from birth to under five years old, looking for links between parental technology use and areas such as cognitive development, emotional and social health, attachment, and children’s own screen habits.
The meta-analysis included 21 studies involving 14,900 children from 10 countries. Rather than focusing only on how much screen time children were getting themselves, the researchers looked at parents’ use of phones and other technology while their children were present, sometimes referred to as “technoference.”
Key Takeaways
➣ Cognitive development: Slightly lower scores in attention, problem-solving, and related areas were associated with greater parental technology use.
➣ Emotional & behavioral health: Higher parental technology use was associated with slightly higher levels of internalizing behaviors, such as anxiety and negative emotions, as well as externalizing behaviors.
➣ Social skills: The researchers found modest associations with lower prosocial behaviors and attachment.
➣ Screen time patterns: Children also tended to have more screen time themselves when parents reported greater technology use around them.
All of these associations were statistically significant but small, pointing to a pattern rather than a cause. In other words, the research doesn’t show that a parent checking their phone directly causes developmental or behavioral problems. Instead, when researchers looked across the studies, higher parental technology use tended to occur alongside small differences in these areas.
That distinction is important. Technology is part of modern family life, and these findings aren’t a reason for parents to feel guilty every time they pick up their phone. They do, however, offer another reason to be mindful of how and when devices are being used around young children.
About Lynn Joels
Lynn has a passion for the health and wellbeing of children, with it being at the heart of her professional life for over 20 years. A fully qualified paediatric naturopath and healthcare professional, she has always worked with the goal of improving the lives of the children and families she has the privilege of supporting.
Learn more about Lynn, her work, and her approach to children’s health and wellbeing on her website
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Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.