In Part 1 of this series I discussed how technology use may have negative effects on intimate relationships, particularly couples. In today’s digitally-connected world, technology offers family members various ways to keep in touch with each other through their cell phone from messaging and Skype to Facebook and email. But as technology takes control over families, the use of cell phones inside the house is affecting relationships on a day-to-day level. In Part 2 of this series, I’ll be discussing how technology is hurting family relationships and the ways in which the use of cell phones inside the house is affecting family dynamics.

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Loss of interaction: While children remain absorbed in texting, playing video games, and listening to music on their cell phone, parents are also wrapped up in talking on their cell phones or checking their email. This is limiting their availability to communicate and interact with each other in the way that families normally should by talking to, playing with, or generally connecting with each other.


Loss of connection: Technology is creating a divide between parents and their children, with the use of cell phones contributing to the increasing distance between family members. Parents no longer know what is going on in their children’s lives, who their friends are, and what they are up to, while children don’t bother to share their lives with their parents. It’s not surprising why parents today wield considerably less influence over their children and are unable to guide or supervise them on appropriate behavior and positive values.


Poor academics: Various studies have consistently proved that cell phones have negative effects on the academic performance of children. The amount of time spent by children on cell phones can reduce the time spent on homework and affect their performance in tests due to poor preparation or fatigue from using cell phones well into the night.


Reduced social interaction: When everything was less global in the past, everyone focused on social interactions to know the world. Ironically, at a time when everything is global and easily accessible today, our world has now shrunk into a small screen that we call a cell phone. With cell phones being increasingly used to keep in touch with friends and classmates through messaging and social media, children are spending less time on face-to-face social interactions and less time in developing their social skills.


Confinement: The cell phone has made children virtually prisoners by keeping them confined to their homes as they no longer need to step out to interact with their friends. Remaining indoors most of the time has reduced their participation in extracurricular activities. By always communicating with their friends over their cell phones, children fail to build up their physical skills, confidence and self-esteem that come with participating in extracurricular activities.


 In Part 3 of this series, I’ll be sharing some rules on cell phone usage that all couples and families need to follow in order to prevent technology from negatively affecting their relationships.

If technology is affecting your intimate or family relationship and you would like professional help, contact Orly Gueron a Licensed marriage and family therapist and relationship specialist in Aventura, FL!