Technology enjoyed today by millions of people around the world is advantageous in many respects.

    But at the same time it can become a detrimental aspect of life that many experts believe may be taking valuable time away from normal family experiences — such as talking to each other face to face.

    In a new seminar sponsored by Weems Community Mental Health Center of Meridian and Meridian Community College, experts from Weems hope to shine light on a growing trend in the family fabric, specifically, the impact technology is having on parenting. The free seminar is called UNPLUG: Addressing Distracted Parenting. Pace Emmons and Dr. Lee Lee Marlow from Weems will headline the seminar that is scheduled for Tuesday starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Dulaney Room, Webb Hall, on the MCC campus.

    Emmons will be addressing the more technical side of the issue. She said today’s smart phones, those that not only handle incoming and outgoing calls but also access the Internet and thrive on texting, are affecting parenting. The reason: the devices take time away from interaction with children. Marlow, a licensed psychologist and the Director of the Division of Children at Youth at Weems

Community Mental Health, will be the main speaker. She will delve into the behavioral and emotional side affects of too much technology.

    Both Emmons and Marlow maintain strongly they are not against technology — only that it is something that needs to be monitored and prioritized like so many other areas of our lives.

    “Technology helps us stay in touch, check our email, send texts, network with friends and more. But today’s technology, especially cell phones, may be taking a toll on parenting” said Marlow.  “Already juggling multiple demands of work and home, many parents are now ‘plugged in’ all the time through their cell phones, checking work email while in the grocery line, reading Facebook updates, texting their children, following Twitter.”

    Marlow said while there are many advantages to the instant and accessible communication, something is not getting that time.

    “More and more often, experts report it’s children.” Marlow said. “Researchers call it distracted time.”

    Marlow said researchers have found many children experience feelings of hurt, jealousy and competition with their parents’ mobile devices and computers.

    Emmons said the term “distracted parenting” comes from the similar term of distracted driving. All across the nation, many states have adopted laws prohibiting texting while driving citing numerous traffic accidents where the driver was not paying attention to the road. In regards to distracted parenting, Emmons and Marlow say that is the same thing that is happening with raising a child.

    “Parents get distracted and don’t engage in a relationship with the child,” Emmons said. “The child sees this behavior and grows up copying the parent so the cycle continues.”

    Emmons said the trick, and the focus of the seminar, is to provide ways to limit technology so you can be a parent to your child.

Want to go?

What: Free Parenting Seminar

Title:  UNPLUG: Addressing Distracted Parenting

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Location: Dulaney Room, Webb Hall (intersection of 14th St. and College Drive; parking and entrance in rear) Meridian Community College

Registration:   Required by calling MCC Dept. of Continuing Education, 601-482-7445.

Special: Certificate of attendance from MCC available upon request