‘Addictive’ for children and ‘helpful’ to parents: electronic devices as a non-human actor in family relations

ABSTRACT

The main aim of the article is to analyze the role of electronic devices used by children in parents–children relationships. Starting with the assumption that material objects are non-human actors (‘actants’), the author explores the parents’ perspective on electronic devices, seen simultaneously as addictive for children and helpful to parents, and their impact on family practices. The thesis proposed is that electronic devices seem to actively influence and re-shape the power dynamics of families. Specifically, first the use of the devices by children reveals processes where children’s influence appears to increase and parents’ influence appears to decrease. Secondly, the way in which parents attribute agency to electronic devices reveals their anxieties and uncertainties about raising children, and about parenthood in general. The article is based on the results of qualitative research: in-depth interviews with 54 parents (including: 24 parental couples and 6 single parents). Two rounds of interviews were conducted. The research was carried out in Poland: in Warsaw (the capital) and in a medium-sized town.

KEYWORDS:

• Parent–child relationship
• materiality-turn approach
• non-human actor
• electronic devices
• qualitative research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 In this paper, the term ‘electronic devices’ will include devices such as smartphones and tablets, as well as other screen devices, i.e. laptops, desktop computers, game consoles and TV sets.

I decided to use the term ‘electronic devices’ instead of ‘digital technologies’ or ‘information and communication technologies’ (ICTs) to accentuate their ‘material’ aspect. It is crucial that phones, tablets, laptops, etc., are tangible objects. In other words, it is difficult to take ‘digital technology’ into your hand, while in the case of a smartphone or tablet it is obviously possible.

2 I do not include a detailed description of selection criteria for the families in the two groups, as it transpired that in the use of electronic devices social class had no impact on the use of electronic devices and was therefore not considered any further in the paper.

3 The quotes from respondents' statements are indicated with quotation marks. The expression used by the respondents are indicated with the inverted commas.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Science Centre, Poland [grant number UMO-2014/15/B/HS6/01874].