Here’s how phones, busy schedules undercut family connections, new survey reveals

But it’s not just a kid problem. According to the results, respondents say their own partners have “phone distraction” during 58% of their conversations.

And though 74% have had a device-free conversation with their child within the past week, only 64% have had the same opportunity with their partner.

To combat this, 82% of parents have enacted some kind of “no phones” during certain activities, such as at dinner (47%), family movie nights (38%), and even family outings (28%).

But phones aren’t the only barrier to connecting with loved ones. According to the results, parents feel they’re competing with busy schedules (49%), household chores (48%), work commitments (43%), and constant activities (32%).

In fact, parents find themselves making “appointments” for something as simple as quality time with their family and friends (48%), date night with their partner (41%), time to exercise (35%), and even self-care (34%).

Even when that quality time is carved out, those polled estimate that 56% of those hangouts are spent with at least one person distracted by their phone, work, stress, or something else.

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Solo Stove, the survey explored how parents are feeling overwhelmed in the overconnected 21st Century.

Results revealed that constant connectivity may have created a fifth appendage. Almost three in five of those polled (57%) frequently check their phone to find that they have zero notifications.

More than one in five (22%) even admit it’s been a year or more since they had an in-person honest conversation about their hopes and dreams.

While 40% have had a belly laugh in the last week, only 38% have had an outdoor hangout with family and friends, yet another 10% can’t remember the last time they caught up with one of their neighbors in person.

This may be why seven in 10 (71%) wish they could go back to a less digitally connected world.

Currently, parents polled spend an average of three days per week with friends and family in their backyard space. But if that backyard space were more inviting, 89% would be likely to spend more time together outside.

Still, at the end of the day, 78% agree that the world feels more disconnected and overwhelming than ever before. Of those, 90% agree that because of this, people are lonelier and more isolated than ever.

“We heard from parents that many feel the world has grown increasingly disconnected,” said Liz Vanzura, CMO of Solo Stove. “Seventy-eight percent of them shared that they worry about losing real conversations with their children and say life today feels more overwhelming and lonelier than ever. In fact, 10% can’t remember the last time they caught up with neighbors. These findings underscore how deeply families are craving authentic connection.”

According to the results, the most meaningful conversations take place in the evening (45%) or at night (30%).

In fact, when it comes to fostering new friendships with neighbors, both their own (37%) and their new friend’s backyard (35%) ranked in the top three best places to spend time together.

This may be because 79% agree that they feel more like themselves when they spend time with loved ones outdoors.

“As many families are looking for ways to feel more connected, our research shows that their backyards and the outdoors can play an important role,” said Vanzura. “In fact, 89% of people said that if their backyard was more inviting, they would spend more time together outside. Whether with family, friends, or neighbors, stepping outdoors creates a chance to put down the screens, have real conversations, and strengthen the bonds that matter most.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 parents of kids under 18; the survey was commissioned by Solo Stove and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4.