In a world of physically hyper present and mentally absent parents

Abstract

Objective: Methods: After obtaining permission from the school authorities, the teachers and parents of the school going children were briefed in detail about the study and the informed consent  and an assent consent was obtained. Out of a total of 180 children aged between 8 to 14 years randomly selected 100 participate in the study. The piloted questionnaire consisting of 25 questions covering various aspects like the time the children spend talking to their parents, their opinion about smart phones etc. was administered. Results: A total of 100 children from Pondicherry were included in final analysis. The female to male ratio was 1.44. Majority of the Parents were literate (98% of the fathers and 93% of the mothers). Among the parents all the fathers were working, however only 11% of the mothers were working. 41% of the children felt that the time spent by parents with them doing their favourite activities is inadequate. 34% of children felt that the time parents spend with them has decreased after they acquired a smart phone. 57% of children wished that their parents spent more time with them. 34% felt that the quality time spent with their parents has been affected by smart phone usage by parents. Mean and proportion used in categorical and continuous variables. The chi square test was used to find statistical significance. Conclusion: The quality time spent by children with their parents has been affected by smart phone usage. Children long to spend more quality time with their parents.