It may come as no surprise that a divorce can sometimes be a difficult experience for those involved. For example, it can take weeks or even years for an individual to recover from the general emotional strife that may accompany a divorce. Additionally, making decisions surrounding complicated issues such as child custody, support, alimony and property division can leave separating couples reeling for months after the divorce decree is finally signed. Children in particular can take divorce rather hardly, which is why it is so important for separating parents to pay close attention to the kids during the divorce process. Readers in Libertyville, Illinois, may be interested to learn more on the connection between technology and children in a divorce.
Experts recently commented on the effect technology and divorce together can have on children during separation. Smartphones and tablets are tantalizing to every user, because they allow users to multitask, be at two places at once and they provide users information at the touch of a fingertip.
Yet, these forms technology can also be somewhat distracting. For example, one study estimates that smartphone users check their phones 150 times per day. This kind of distraction can also weigh in on the divorce process, where many children are already experiencing a form of separation anxiety or relationship insecurity.
According to experts, many children, particularly between the ages of three and five, experience some from of insecure attachment issues post-divorce. When child custody decisions split or reduce parenting time, use of technology can be troubling. While children are already suddenly experiencing less time with their parents, when a text message is sent instead of a call, or a parent spends time on a form of technology rather than paying attention to one’s child during their visitation time, the attachment issues can be all the more at issue.
This is why it is so important to pay close attention to technology use when communicating with or spending time with one’s children during and post divorce. The smartphone or tablet can bring so much convenience to one’s life, yet it can also cause much strife if not used thoughtfully.
Source: Wired, “How Multitasking on Mobile Affects Children of Divorce,” Arabella Watters, Aug. 31, 2013.