If you’ve ever tried to talk to your kid while they’re glued to a screen (hand raised 🙋♂️), you’re not alone. A new note that landed in my inbox highlights fresh survey findings from Talker Research about how phones and devices are shaping family conversations—and what parents are doing about it.
Homes Overconnected - What the study found
- Kids have a phone in hand about 52% of the time when parents are trying to talk with them.
- 78% of parents worry they’re spending less time in real conversations because of screens.
- Even partners aren’t immune—there’s “phone distraction” in 58% of couple conversations.
- Bright spot: 74% of parents say they’ve had a device-free conversation with their child in the past week.
- Many families are taking action: 82% have some form of “no-phones” rule during certain activities.
- Beyond phones, parents also feel they’re competing with busy schedules (49%) and other household demands.
Why it matters (from one dad to another)
Screens aren’t the villain; they’re just loud roommates. But when half our chats happen through a rectangle, we miss the tiny, important moments—like how your teen’s voice drops when school is “fine,” or the smile your little one hides after a corny dad joke.
Simple wins to try this week
- Pick a daily device-free pocket: breakfast, school pickup line, or the first 20 minutes after everyone gets home.
- Announce it like a game: “Phones in the basket—first one to peek clears the dishes!”
- Swap scroll time for a short ritual: a 5-minute “high/low” round at dinner.
- Model it: If I can put my phone face-down, my kids can, too.
I’ll keep digging into the full Talker Research study and what’s working for real families. In the meantime, what are your house rules—and do they actually stick? Drop your best tips in the comments so we can all steal them (lovingly).
