Technology During Dinnertime? Mother Says NO! II: Reasons and Benefits for not allowing technology during mealtimes

Photo credit: R. J. Little

Benefits for Not Allowing Technology During Mealtimes

The results show that all participants find benefits in not allowing technology during mealtime. Among the answers they describe as benefits: provides attention, gives presence and awareness, makes them closer, promotes entertainment, increases communication and social skills, and provides quiet atmosphere conducive to conversation. Each of these benefits is discussed in more detail below.

Providing Attention

Monica was the only participant who reported that her undivided attention was a benefit of not allowing technology during mealtime. She believes that by not allowing technology, she can concentrate better on her children and really focus on what they need.

For Monica:

So it’s just my undivided attention, my presence, my awareness of just being there. (Monica, 1^st interview)

 Giving Presence

Participants believed that when they disallow technology during mealtime their family members are more present for each other.

Monica reported that a benefit of not allowing technology during mealtime was her undivided presence, her ability to be fully there for her children.

So it’s just my undivided attention, my presence, my awareness of just being there. (Monica, 1^st interview)

Sally also reported noticing her family’s presence for each other, which allowed them to observe each other’s needs.

Um, we talk. We talk. The kids are engaged. They’re present. (Sally, 1st interview)

We’re . . . there. We’re looking at each other. We’re talking to each other. We’re noticing stuff, right? (Sally, 1^st interview)

Awareness

Participants reported as one of the benefits of not allowing technology during mealtime is being aware of what is going on with each other, being fully conscious so as to be able to perceive and to notice others’ needs.

Monica described being conscious of what is going on during dinnertime as a major benefit of her decision not to allow technology usage during mealtime.

So it’s just my undivided attention, my presence, my awareness of just being there. (Monica, 1^st interview)

Sally also reported noticing and perceiving things during mealtime.

We’re . . . there. We’re looking at each other. We’re talking to each other. We’re noticing stuff, right? (Sally, 1^st interview)

 And she described mealtime as a place to observe each other fully.

We’re engaged with each other. We’re aware of what we’re doing. We’re eating. We’re enjoying the food we’re eating. We’re talking with each other. Um, and we’re doing all of those and we’re not worried about the world around us. And, um, we know that this is our time for each other. (Sally, 1^st interview)

Closeness

Participants reflected that not allowing technology during mealtime has benefited their relationships with each other by making them closer, by allowing family members to engage more, and also by increasing the bonding.

For Monica:

I think its benefit is it had made us closer, for sure. Yeah. (Monica, 1^st interview)

 For Sally:

Um, we talk. We talk. The kids are engaged. They’re present. (Sally, 1st interview)

We’re engaged with each other. We’re aware of what we’re doing. We’re eating. We’re enjoying the food we’re eating. We’re talking with each other. (Sally, 1^st interview)

 Sally also reflected on the connection among her family members.

 It’s improved communication between us. It’s, um, allowed them to connect with themselves and, and, and just, um, have so many dimensions in their lives. (Sally, 1^st interview)

 For Allison:

It, it’s more family bonding which I think is important. (Allison, 1^st interview)

 And for Olivia:

Um, we’ve become closer. (Olivia, 1^st interview)