Washington: A new study suggests that parents who are too busy on their smartphones, usually ignore their kids.
Researchers from Boston Medical Center went undercover in 15 local fast food restaurants to observe nature's parenting playground. They even observed the interactions between family members and noted down the reactions given out by children, when parents were continuously paying attention to their smartphones.
Dr. Jenny S. Radesky, Developmental behavioral pediatrics expert at Boston Medical Center said that 40 out of 50 parents were engaged in their mobile devices. They seemed more distracted when they were typing and making swiping motions with the fingers, as compared to phone calls.
Some children appeared unaffected and ate their meals in silence. Other children were more provocative, with one set of siblings singing Jingle bells or Batman smells to get their dad's attention.
The degree to which the device was used, however, did not necessarily directly relate to the way in which the child reacted, according to the study.
