Technology Can Bring Families Together
The Eastco Group‘s Roy Skoba passed along the following article from the Orlando Sentinel Media Group. Let us know your thoughts:
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Technology Brings Families Together
While many people blame technology for breaking down the basic family unit, a recent survey shows us that new technologies are actually bringing families closer together.
Nearly 45% of families said a computer or tablet drew them together vs. just 21% of respondents said that they gather around the television for quality time.
Another survey about families detailed just how tech savvy today’s kids are. Electronic devices owned by 10-13 year olds:
- 85% own a game console
- Over 60% own a computer
- 28% own a smart phone
- One in six own a tablet
What Does This Mean To You?
With so many families using computers & tablets together as a group, you have an incredible pathway to reach them. Households with children tend to have higher household incomes, making them more able to buy your goods and services. Also, the prevalence of kids with mobile devices only means that they are likely to be more mobile-ly dependent in the future.
Source: EMarketer; MicroSoft; AVG
I think technology can either bring families closer together or pull them apart, depending on other factors. I think, like money, technology has the potential to intensify the dynamics in a relationship. I.e. if the family is experienceing stress/challenges, some members may turn to technology as an escape and make the stress greater. If the family is content and communicating well, technology can be used to further that coommunication.
Good thoughts Amy Jo. I’ve heard it said that technology can bring people who are far apart close together and push people who are close together farther apart. Of course, technology is not going away – so we owe it to future generations to manage it wisely rather than letting it manage us.