The Impact of Parental Technoference on Attachment Security in Infants and Toddlers: A Systematic Review

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_95How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Technoference; Attachment security; Infants and toddlers; Parental sensitivity; Joint attention

Abstract

Mobile devices have become embedded in family life, constantly occurring during mealtimes, play, and caregiving routines. Their convenience supports multitasking and social connectivity, but also increases the risk of “technoference”—parental technology use that interrupts interaction with children. Early childhood, especially the first three years, is a sensitive period for forming secure attachment, when infants depend on consistent emotional availability and joint attention with caregivers. Even small but repeated disruptions in these exchanges can have developmental consequences. This review examines evidence on technoference and attachment security in infants and toddlers (0–3 years). Guided by attachment theory, it focuses on two pathways: reduced parental sensitivity and disruption of joint attention. Moderating influences such as parental stress, family routines, and socioeconomic status are also considered. Findings suggest that repeated disruptions can impair caregivers’ responsiveness and limit opportunities for shared engagement, thereby increasing the risk of insecure attachment. This review integrates disparate evidence into a framework linking technological disruptions, mediating factors, and outcomes, providing insights for theory and practice.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Zhuoni Cheng
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/03/25
TI  - The Impact of Parental Technoference on Attachment Security in Infants and Toddlers: A Systematic Review
BT  - Proceedings of the 2025 4th International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 875
EP  - 882
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_95
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_95
ID  - Cheng2026
ER  -