MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Study shows children concerned with parents’ smartphone use

Mar 8, 2016, 10:53 PM | Updated: May 10, 2016, 11:13 am

Seattleite Adam Johnson with his daughters. Five-year-old Anna says her mother and father always pu...

Seattleite Adam Johnson with his daughters. Five-year-old Anna says her mother and father always put their phones away during dinner. (Sara Lerner/KIRO Radio)

(Sara Lerner/KIRO Radio)

A new study reveals kids are worried about their parents’ smartphone usage.

Researchers at the University of Washington and University of Michigan surveyed families with children ages 10 through 17.

“Parents had a lot of rules for kids about no phones at the dinner table, no phones in church, no phones during family events,” lead researcher Alexis Hiniker said. “But kids were equally likely to say that their parents should do the same thing.”

Parents and children agreed on most guidelines, with “be present” being the most common request. But Hiniker says the children were the ones who said, “please, stop sharing information about me on Facebook.”

“Kids felt that parents really should ask permission and talk with children before posting anything [on social media] about them,” Hiniker said. “And parents felt that it was more acceptable to put up whatever was on their mind at the moment.”

The researchers surveyed 249 families with kid ages 10 to 17. It’s one of the first studies on technology habits that includes children’s point of view.

MyNorthwest News

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

8 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

9 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

11 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

11 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

12 hours ago

Image: A Tacoma teen was shot outside her Tacoma Hilltop area apartment over the weekend....

Heather Bosch

Estranged boyfriend suspected in Tacoma teen’s death turns himself in

We're learning more about the man who's accused of fatally shooting a teenager outside her Tacoma Hill Top area apartment over the weekend.

12 hours ago

Study shows children concerned with parents’ smartphone use