Melbourne: As an increasing number of families are becoming obsessed with the use of computer and phone gadgets everyday, relations within them are getting fractured, leading to very separate lives and a total loss in communication.
The use of iPhones, iPads and BlackBerrys is fracturing families which are becoming isolated from one another as they focus on their screen, said Antony Kidman, leading psychologist and author of the new book Staying Sane In The Fast Lane.
He said technology had a profound effect on family dynamics, serving to push family members apart into their own "techno-cocoons", reports the Daily Telegraph.
Parents are sometimes glued to their smartphones and emails throughout the evening, while children often had computers in their bedroom used to access social networking and games.
"Humans are social creatures. There is a lot of virtual stuff going on without having any contact with people," Kidman said.
He said it was important parents set rules for the use of technology in the home, including banning computers from children''s bedrooms and sitting with them occasionally while they're using devices.
Mobile phones should, in most circumstances, only be introduced once children are in high school, Kidman said.
ANI
First Published: Sunday, July 10, 2011, 13:13