The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, founded by the Princess of Wales, has announced a significant new research initiative to investigate the impact of digital devices on young children and family life.
The £100,000 study aims to tackle the growing issue of 'technoference'—the disruption of parent-child interactions caused by smartphones and other screens.
Addressing a Modern Dilemma
This project follows a heartfelt essay penned by the Princess last month, titled 'The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World'. In it, she expressed concern that we are 'raising a generation that may be more “connected” than any in history while simultaneously being more isolated, more lonely'.
Kate, a mother to Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, highlighted the particular vulnerability of babies and young children. She wrote that for them, 'the pull of screens will be even stronger... the habits more deeply ingrained as they grow', precisely when they should be developing crucial social and emotional skills.
Shaping Future Resources for Families
The research will work directly with families across the UK to understand what drives excessive device use during family time and, crucially, how to reduce this unwanted interference. The findings will be used to create practical resources for practitioners and parents.
Christian Guy, Executive Director of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, stated: 'Nurturing relationships between babies, young children, and the adults in their lives are critical' for a healthy society. He noted that while many studies have examined digital impacts, there is a lack of evidence on the causes of 'technoference' and effective solutions.
The initiative is timely, as an August poll by Savanta revealed that 66% of 2,105 UK adults surveyed desire more support for achieving a healthier balance with technology.
A Personal Passion and a Public Return
The announcement comes shortly after the Princess made her first public speech in two years at the Centre’s Future Workforce Summit, following her cancer diagnosis earlier in 2024. She spoke passionately about the foundation's mission, stating: 'My passion... stems from one essential truth; that the love we feel in our earliest years fundamentally shapes who we become.'
She described love as 'the invisible thread' woven through consistent, nurturing relationships, which creates the foundation for a child's resilience and sense of belonging.
The new study represents a concrete step towards helping parents protect sacred spaces for genuine connection, from family dinners to moments of engaged listening, in an increasingly digital world.
