Technology is good for family relations says report

New research released today reveals that on average, UK households now have 2.4 TVs, 1.6 home computers, 2.4 games consoles, 3 mobile phones and 2.2 MP3 players; and 40% of parents say internet subscriptions, mobile phone bills and one-off gadget purchases now account for 10% of their total annual household income.

Slash dot com? It seems not

The findings showed that the internet even topped the list of items families are reluctant to cut back on (67%); ahead of even school uniforms (59%), family holidays (30%) and the weekly food shop (24%). It is estimated that over 11 million families value the internet over other household luxuries in the current recession.

Technolife

According to the Digital Families study commissioned by O2, 45% of parents believe sitting down to a family meal is the best way to maintain family bonds. However, parents are also using technology items to improve relationships within their family:

- 51% of parents say they play computer games together in a typical week and over one-third will sit down together at the laptop or PC and surf the net.

- Around one in five parents are using social media sites such as Facebook to keep in touch with immediate (19%) and extended (22%) family members.

- 60% claimed access to email and mobile phones has improved communication between family members.

- 79% said mobile phones have made organising family life easier.

- 73% of parents find technology easy to use. Only 9% said they are intimidated by their children’s knowledge and understanding.

- 29% of parents say using email and internet on the move helps them balance work and family responsibilities

Who’s your family?

Based on their attitudes to and uses of technology as a family, four distinct profiles were uncovered from the study:

The Techno Taylors - Families that are excited by technology, find it easy to use, use it extensively and are true believers in the way it helps families communicate. They represent 5.5 million UK families

The Scaredy-Smyths - Families which are more hesitant about technology, despite having lots of mobile phones, games consoles and TVs in the house. They represent 4.3 million UK families

The Relaxed-Roberts - Families that are excited by technology but take a pragmatic approach to the things they buy and the role it plays in family life. They represent 3.8 million UK families.

The Pushover-Platts - Families that base their technology attitudes, purchasing decision and usage around what the kids think and want. They represent 3.5 million UK families.