According to the latest Halifax Insurance Digital Home Index, 31% of 7-8 year olds now own a mobile phone, with the figure rising to 88% for 12-14 year olds. Meanwhile, the study found that 60% of parents are concerned that technology is fragmenting family time together.
The worrisome report goes on to say that today's average child owns some £924 worth of electronic devices, with 33% checking their phone for messages several times every hour. 64% of children also admit to using their devices in bed, including mobile phones (30%) and tablets (19%). The findings have raised concerns amongst parents that their offspring are finding it increasingly difficult to switch off and rest properly at the end of the day.
James Wyatt of Barton Wyatt Estate Agents in Surrey holds some strong views on the subject:
"I have three children of my own, all approaching their teens, and fighting the technology war is like taking on your own version of 'Game of Thrones'! You end up battling with your children instead of nurturing them, which is obviously what any parent really wants to achieve."
Wyatt is Partner of leading Barton Wyatt letting agents in Surrey, based in the millionaire paradise of Virginia Water. He is also the Chairman of the Surrey division of the NAEA and feels that homebuilders should be taking a more positive role in keeping the family unit together when constructing new properties. He is not alone in his views and has been pleased to witness the recent resurgence of family values in Surrey where Barton Wyatt is based.
"Creating the correct environment in the home is the key to family cohesion and happiness" believes James. "In the homes I have built for my family, I create welcoming and child-friendly kitchen hangouts, providing an alternative to the solitary 'Google hangout' of their bedrooms.
"Local developers too have embraced this idea. We've seen them adding more space into the kitchen instead of favouring a downstairs snug which used to be where the kids 'stuff' was. In the modern houses being built in Virginia Water, the children are likely to have to go up to the second floor to find their games room, which can seem rather remote from Mum and Dad. We believe that instead they will prefer to hang out in a modern kitchen that provides sufficient space for the family to interact together."
Some key areas that James thinks homeowners, parents and builders looking to create the ultimate family home should consider whenever possible are:
- Create a kitchen hangout - somewhere comfy for all the family to be. An easy chair or two and a flat screen TV on the wall work very well.
- Install Sonos or similar. In the old days families might have sat around a piano - integrated surround sound systems such as Sonos are the modern day versions. These new music devices are brilliant for family entertainment.
- Say no to TVs in bedrooms - keep the televisions close to the hub of the house so you can sit and watch something together without losing the children to isolation upstairs.
- Consider a cinema room - not for all budgets, obviously, but another great way of having an easy family activity on hand for rainy days.
- Beware where you put the Xbox or PlayStation. If you can bear to keep it close to your kitchen hangout, you will end up spending more time with your children even if they are killing zombies whilst telling you about their day.
"Taking smartphones and digital technology away from children is not the answer for family harmony," continues James. "We need to learn to live with this equipment and embrace it into our lives but show our children that this is just one aspect and not the entire world. There is still room for a game of Scrabble or Monopoly - and not the online version!"
For more information on making the most of family life through a house with a perfect kitchen hangout, contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000.