“Get off your phone,” your mum yells. “We’re going to have to surgically remove you from that one day,” your aunt jokes. Except, she’s not joking. You sheepishly slide the office back into your pocket as the rest of your family tuts.
Yep, we’ve all been there. But you may be surprised to hear that our tech isn’t responsible for spoiling family life after all.
Our recent research shows that British families aren’t tethered to tech like the headlines suggest. Nor has tech ruined family togetherness. Many of us are perfectly content to spend time with our family without tech – in moderation, of course.
And for those that do indulge in some tech time and social media action, it’s actually helping to bring families together.
Here come the facts!
Tech is killing Christmas – or is it?
Though one study reveals that nine in ten parents say gadgets get in the way of their time together as a family, our research shows Britain is actually pretty happy with what tech does for family life.
Power up that broadband, because almost half of the population says apps have made family life better, and three in five say the internet helps them have fun. With 31 million Brits saying Christmas is one of the biggest reasons their family gets together, the holiday season’s not looking so bleak after all.
Those heady days of Christmas cheer – Monopoly-fuelled dramas, distant relatives getting overly clingy after a few drinks, squabbles over the last spud that inevitably end with the dog scooping it off the floor – are well and truly alive. Ah, holiday bliss.
Tech is for the young – or is it?
If you’ve never really thought of Grandma as a tech-head, you’ll relate to a recent study that suggests that older people are rejecting digital technologies.
But then again, almost 4.5 million Brits over 55 years old say they check social media during family time.
So when you’re posting pics from a big night out, and you’re pictured in a less than flattering light (you know what we’re getting at), you never know who might be looking. That could lead to a difficult conversation with your nan the next time you see her.
Tech is killing conversations – or is it?
Previous research had found that four in ten families say devices mean they don’t talk enough as a family. Apparently, many of us are too absorbed in our devices to look up and speak to that real, live human stealing a third helping of stuffing.
But hang on a moment. We’ve found that two in five Brits say the internet has brought them closer together and given them more to talk about during family get-togethers.
With 20.8 million Brits saying they never check social media when they’re with their family, it’s clear tech hasn’t killed the art of conversation just yet.
So, despite what you may have heard, tech is actually helping to bring people closer. When the family’s together, there’s plenty to love about tech – find out more by following the link at the top of the page.
*The statistics included in this article are taken from a survey commissioned by Carphone Warehouse through independent research agency Atomik Research. It was conducted among a sample of 2,000 UK respondents between 11-14 October 2018. Please contact Jennifer.Grey@greenlightdigital.com if you have any questions, or if you'd like to view the full survey data