The Relationship between use of Technology and Parent- Adolescents Social Relationship

Abstract

Today’s adolescents have unprecedented access to modern technology and use them in expected and unexpected ways. Adolescents spend many hours a day using the technology, and the vast majority of them have access to Internet, cell phones, smart phone, video games and many other forms of modern technology. With the increased role of modern technology in the adolescents’ lives has come the increased concern about how adolescents might be affected. This may take them away from important social interactions that develop in-person relationships. A good parent-teen relationship is important for adolescent health and development. The more time spent on television, computers, cell phone and video games leads to a lower quality of attachment to parents. This descriptive correlation study was aimed to investigate the relationship between adolescents' use of technology and their parent' social relationship. The study was conducted on randomly selected Preparatory and Secondary Schools from two governorates, Egypt. The data was collected during the first term of academic year 2015/2016. The participants for this study were 230 students (92 boys and 138 girls), with their ages ranging from 12 to 18 years. The self-report questionnaire sheet was developed by the researchers. The study concluded that there was a highly statistical correlation between adolescents' technology usage and social interaction with their parents. The study recommended that Parents need to educate themselves about social media and the ways their teens may use it, as well as the common risks, to help them understand and navigate the technologies. Moreover, parents' discussions are positive for teens and can result in less risky online behaviors. Future researches are needed to consider interviewing both parent and child together at the same time to get both parties’ perspectives on the same issues discussed.

Key Wards: Technology, Parent, Adolescents, Teen age, Youth, Social Relationship.