Boston Trauma Conference Insights: The Modern Still Face Experiment: Smart Phones

I recently virtually attended the International Boston Trauma Conference. This is a 4 day conference where there are several presentations about key topics and research on trauma and healing.

My first session was a session on attachment and repair, given by Dr. Edward Tronick, known for carrying out the still face experiment. If you've ever taken some psychology courses, you might have heard about the still face experiment. In the experiment, a mother interacts with her baby, displaying affection and playfulness. Suddenly, the mother adopts a neutral, unresponsive expression—a "still face." The baby's

reaction is immediate, showing signs of confusion, distress, and attempts to re-engage the mother. This experiment underscored the critical role of interactive communication in infant development. You can watch a video of the experiment here. Long story short, Dr. Tronick talked about just how important it is to be attuned to our babies and showcased the profound impact of responsive communication between caregivers and infants. This made me think and compare the experiment to a modern version going on right now: our smartphones.

Today, smartphones have become a daily part of our lives, often diverting our attention from face-to-face interactions, especially with our children. This phenomenon mirrors the still face scenario, raising concerns about its impact on parent-child relationships and child development.

I'm not going to be hypocritical, I, myself am very guilty of being distracted by my smartphone. While I try to put conscious effort to reduce this, it is still a work in progress. It does make me wonder though what effects this will have on the future generations.

Going back to the session, research indicates that smartphone distraction during parent-child interactions leads to fewer verbal and non-verbal exchanges, potentially impacting language development and emotional regulation in children.

How Smartphones Affect Interaction

1. Reduced Responsiveness: Like the still face, smartphone distraction leads to

decreased responsiveness from caregivers, which can (unintentionally) leave children feeling neglected and disconnected.

2. Emotional Availability: When caregivers are engrossed in their phones, they may miss vital emotional cues from their children, hindering emotional bonding and security.

3. Modeling Behavior: Children learn by observing their caregivers. When they see adults constantly on their phones, they may mimic this behavior, affecting their own social and emotional development.

Practical Tips for Parents In today's digital age, smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. However, it's important to recognize their potential impact on parent-child relationships and child development. By being mindful of our smartphone use and prioritizing meaningful interactions with our children, we can ensure that they receive the responsive, emotionally available caregiving they need to thrive. Here are some tips I hope can help:

1. Mindful Use: Be aware of your phone use, especially during interactions with your child. Set aside dedicated phone-free times for quality bonding.

2. Establish Boundaries: Create designated phone-free zones or times, such as during meals or playtime, to prioritize meaningful interactions with your child.

3. Lead by Example: Model healthy phone habits for your children by demonstrating balanced use and prioritizing face-to-face interactions.

Ultimately, let's strive to be present, engaged, and attentive—ensuring that our children's experiences are filled with warmth, connection, and the joy of genuine human interactions. Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being there. 😊