We are all on our devices too much – so much so, that Disney Pixar made a tablet the villain of next year’s Toy Story 5.
But screens are not the problem. The amount of time we spend on them is.
In an effort to reconnect parents with kids offline, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, in partnership with the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) and Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey (PCANJ), created a public awareness campaign to call a “time-out on tech.”
“We know that safe and stable nurturing relationships are the foundation of childhood resilience—and that moments of loving connection and full presence to one another are key,” Dr. Rebecca Bryan, director of the DCF Office of Resilience (OOR), says in a statement regarding the initiative. “We also know that technology is a necessity of daily life, and shaming parents around their technology usage doesn’t work to empower them to change their behavior. Through robust public awareness, we can shine a light on this issue, and direct parents and caregivers to our ‘Technoference’ webpage and connect them to useful information and resources that will help them be more intentional in connecting with their children.”
What Exactly is a Technoference?
Technoference is a new term used to describe what happens when technology interferes with healthy relationships. In the case of parental technoference, it creates obstacles for parents and caregivers to be emotionally present for their children, according to the statement.
DCF surveyed almost 2,500 New Jersey parents to understand trends and attitudes toward technology use. Seventy-two percent of parents admitted they use their cell phones too much when they’re with their kids. Sixty-nine percent reported that their kids sometimes say they wish their parents would spend less time on their phones.
The goal is for parents to connect with their kids (sans devices) more so that there is healthy brain development in babies, and to avoid depression and isolation in older children. “Every moment of full attention we give to our children tells them they are valued, safe, and loved,” says Gina Hernandez, executive director and CEO of PCA-NJ and the Child Wellness Institute. “Parents reducing their own screen time isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about being present when it matters most. By putting down our devices, even briefly, we open up space for meaningful connection, communication, and the positive experiences that help children thrive.”
To learn more about parental technoference, visit nj.gov/technoference, and watch the video below:
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