More than 75% of parents reported using media during their last family meal, with smartphones being the most common type.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics surveyed over 350 parents, revealing that nearly 70% of their children (aged 4–10) also used media during the meal.
The Cost of Connection
Media use can erode valuable parent-child connection time at the table and may impact the relationship, warns Cecilia Sada Garibay, co-author and PhD candidate at the University of Arizona.
Dr. Margie Skeer, a professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, emphasizes that the emotional benefits of family meals come from consistent connection and prioritizing children, not just the meal itself. She notes that even five minutes of undistracted daily check-ins can provide meaningful benefits.
Dr. Anne Fishel, associate professor at Harvard Medical School, adds that mealtimes are the most reliable opportunity for daily connection, and that rituals create comfort and identity.
Shared vs. Solo Screen Time
The study distinguished between two types of media use:
- Shared media use (e.g., watching a show together)
- Individual media use (e.g., each person on their own smartphone)
Sada Garibay notes that while shared media can facilitate bonding, the study found widespread individual smartphone use replacing shared experiences.
Expert Recommendations
One meal a week: Experts suggest that even a single device-free family meal per week can foster well-being and belonging.
- Flexible format: A "family meal" can be as simple as sharing a snack while talking, without requiring a full dinner.
- Technology for connection: Family movie nights during dinner can provide bonding time when used intentionally.
Broader Context
The 2025 World Happiness Report found that about 25% of US adults ate all meals alone in 2023, a significant increase from previous years. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of family dinners increased—suggesting that the habit, while challenged by modern life, remains a powerful anchor for connection.