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Parenting in a digital age: Technoference research proposal

The science is clear that nurturing relationships between babies, young children, and the adults in their lives are critical to the development of social and emotional skills. We also know that in today’s world, digital devices can sometimes cause interference with these vital relationships – a phenomenon known as technoference. We are looking for proposals for a participatory research project.

Background

The impact of digital and mobile devices on everyday interactions – commonly called technoference – is increasingly well-documented, including in relation to parent-child interactions. Research over the past fifteen years has examined the effects of smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices on parent-child interaction and on child development. Yet whilst we understand the risks of technoference, far less is known about the factors that lead to devices being used in ways that cause unwanted disruptions in family life, or the strategies families can use to reduce this technoference.

Research scope

We are looking for a research partner to work with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to undertake participatory action research to explore these understudied aspects of technoference.

We wish to commission a study, working closely with groups of parents of babies and children under five around the UK, to develop:

  1. Develop a deeper and richer understanding of the factors that influence digital device use in families with babies and young children, and where this causes interference in parent-child interactions.
  2. Understand how families – both mothers, fathers (and other primary caregivers) and young children – see technoference as a challenge for them and what their goals are for reducing technoference.
  3. Facilitate families to share ideas and to identify and test practical strategies and solutions that help to achieve their goals for reducing technoference and support positive parent–child interactions and connection.
  4. Identify strategies that families find acceptable, helpful, and sustainable, and the context in which these strategies work. Recognise any ongoing contextual and environmental barriers and challenges for families trying to reduce technoference.
  5. Synthesise findings to capture research findings, insights into families’ lives, and actionable strategies that reduce technoference, recognising the varied experiences and needs of different families.
  6. Capture and disseminate learning in a way that enables organisations around the UK to develop evidence-based advice and practical solutions for parents and the practitioners who work with them.

The research will help the Centre and other organisations working with families to develop advice and practical solutions for parents and the practitioners who work with them, grounded in the real lives, challenges, and needs of families around the UK today.

Eligibility

We are looking for a research team based in the UK that is passionate about positive change and solutions-focussed – who is able to support families to find successful and sustainable strategies to reduce digital distractions and strengthen those vitally important moments of parent-child interaction.

We are looking for individual teams or consortia that can demonstrate their:

    • understanding early childhood, in particular understanding parent-child relationships and how they support development;
    • experience of undertaking participatory and/or action research in the UK, including working with marginalised and minoritised communities;
    • experience of generating real change and impact for families and communities; and
    • experience of communicating research findings in accessible and impactful ways, including presenting data to the general public and to senior stakeholders.

Budget deadline and next steps

The budget for this research project is £100,000 including VAT.

Proposals should be submitted by 5pm on 8 January 2026.

Download the full funding specification for detailed information about the aims and objectives, timelines and how to apply.