What Is Technoference?

Do you know what technoference is? Chances are you’ve experienced it, whether you are familiar with the term or not.

Technoference refers to the interference of technology in family time. For example, you’re supposed to be enjoying movie night with your family, but you are distracted by your cell phone.

On the surface, this may seem harmless. But research shows that as screen time increases for parents, children can experience a drop in activity levels, difficulty handling emotions, and a reduction in their attention spans. Technoference interrupts bonding and play time between parents and children, which can have long-term effects on childhood development.

Technology is an important and necessary part of our lives, and for most people, it is impossible to avoid. But there are several ways you can minimize technoference. Try incorporating some of these habits into your daily lives:

Ask yourself, “Can this wait?” Make a habit of asking yourself if a call, text or social media alert can wait. Putting off non-urgent notifications can strengthen your family bond.

Use a family charging station before bed. Plug in your devices, walk away, and find an activity you can enjoy together, like playing cards or reading books together.

Use app timers. Many apps have screen-lock timers you can set to help manage the time you spend on those apps.

Schedule an hour per day away from all technological devices. This will help you connect with family or friends.

For more information about technoference and a list of related resources, read our MSU Extension Publication 4013, “Tips for Parents: What Is ‘Technoference’ and Why Does It Matter?”

If you are interested in more resources and professional advice related to parenting, check out the Trauma-Informed Parenting and Professional Strategies, or TIPPS, program, which is made available through a partnership between MSU Extension and the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

The program is available to any parent or caregiver in Mississippi and provides a series of five boxes with developmentally appropriate resources on several topics, including positive discipline strategies, resource management, communication, and emotion regulation. Each family that signs up is paired with a staff member who is available to them throughout the program, connecting them to resources in their area and answering questions about the provided resources or child development. To sign up or learn more about the TIPPS program, visit https://tipps.extension.msstate.edu.