Screen time is part of modern life — how we work, communicate, and stay connected — and it has naturally become part of family life. But while technology keeps us connected in many ways, is it getting in the way of parent-child interaction? The New Jersey Office of Resilience (OoR), part of the state’s Department of Children and Families (DCF), is inviting parents to consider this question through its public awareness campaign. The effort spotlights the importance of positive childhood experiences (PCEs), which help buffer the long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). But PCEs rely on safe, stable, and nurturing relationships — and constant technology use can get in the way.

The campaign shines a spotlight on a growing concern: parent/caregiver technoference, the subtle but significant disconnection that happens when adult use of technology pulls parents’ attention away from their children. The award-winning public service announcement (PSA) features a referee who shows up in everyday family moments — during dinner, for instance — blowing a whistle to call a time-out when the parent is distracted by their phone in the presence of their child. The tone is playful rather than shaming, underscoring how easily cell phones can interrupt connection without parents even realizing it.

Developed in partnership with the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) and supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the campaign is part of Essentials for Childhood: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences Through Data to Action, a national initiative aimed at reducing ACEs and strengthening PCEs.

CHCS spoke with Rebecca Bryan, DPN, APN, Executive Director of the OoR, about the impact of technoference on family relationships and its role in adverse and positive childhood experiences.

Q. What was the impetus to focus on technoference?

A. This work started with a simple observation: many parents are often on their phones while spending time with their children. Whether walking with a child in a stroller or standing at the playground, it has become common to see parents physically present but not truly engaged. This felt concerning, especially compared to earlier experiences of active play and shared attention with children.

Research confirmed these concerns, showing that technoference — technology interrupting parent–child interaction — reduces attention and emotional connection, which are critical for early brain development. A survey of nearly 2,500 parents in New Jersey found this issue is widespread but also revealed strong motivation to change: 96 percent of parents were already trying to reduce phone use around their children. This effort was also aligned with CDC priorities focused on improving social norms around connection and resilience. The takeaway is simple — when parents are more present, they strengthen connection and build children’s resilience.

Q. What impact do you hope the campaign has on the community, particularly in addressing adverse childhood experiences?

A. I hope that these efforts begin to shift social norms around phone use in the presence of children. A key strategy has been the creation of our lighthearted, engaging PSA that introduces technoference in a memorable way, using humor and familiar imagery — a referee calling a timeout — to make the message approachable rather than judgmental. This PSA has been distributed across multiple platforms, including Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, YouTube (Google), and live television, generating more than 14 million impressions. We hope this makes it easier for parents to recognize the issue and gently hold themselves and other parents accountable, ultimately normalizing phones being put away during playtime, meals, and bedtime. This matters because strong, attuned relationships are the foundation of resilience. When children feel seen and heard in safe, nurturing environments, their brains develop in ways that support emotional resilience, increase positive childhood experiences, and help reduce the long-term impact of ACEs.

Q. How do you envision this campaign shaping parent-child connections and supporting positive childhood experiences?

A. This work emphasizes that effective parenting does not require constant attunement. Research shows that being emotionally present with children even 30–40 percent of the time is both realistic and sufficient to support healthy development. When parents understand that these moments of connection shape their child’s brain and lay the foundation for lifelong resilience, it can strengthen relational health and create opportunities for PCEs.

Research also shows that heavy technology use changes parenting behavior. When parents are focused on phones or tablets, interactions tend to become shorter, more directive, and less responsive. Children quickly learn not to interrupt, often receiving brief or reactive responses rather than feeling seen or understood. Reducing technology distractions can support a more responsive parenting style — one that is attentive, emotionally present, and better aligned with children’s needs.

Q. What reactions or feedback have you heard about the campaign from parents, caregivers, or partners?

A. Feedback on the campaign has been overwhelmingly positive, largely because it was shaped by strong community input. Parents, advocates, and nonprofit leaders all emphasized the importance of addressing technology use without guilt or shame, recognizing that phones are an unavoidable part of modern life. That guidance directly informed the tone of the PSA.

Parents report that the messaging feels reflective rather than judgmental — it prompts them to pause and recognize themselves in everyday moments. Responses have included praise for the campaign’s thoughtful, relatable approach and its ability to highlight the impact of technology on children’s relationships and development. Overall, the positive reactions affirm that respectful, community-informed messaging can resonate and inspire meaningful reflection and change.

Q. What’s next for this effort — are there plans to expand or build on the campaign?

A. The initiative is expanding through a partnership with the Department of Children and Families’ Family Community Partnerships (FCP), which reaches families statewide through home visiting programs, early childhood providers, Family Success Centers, and the NJ4S hubs. In its first year, FCP reached more than 100,000 New Jersey parents.

We’re also developing age-specific educational materials on technoference for parents of children ages 0–5, 6–12, and 13–18, with special attention to teen parents. These resources will be included in educational packets for new parents, addressing early bonding moments — such as feeding — when phone use can unintentionally disrupt connection. In addition, we’re connecting with providers statewide through a webinar to explain the linkage between PCEs and resilience, allowing this messaging to reach families through trusted community touchpoints.

The OoR also recently launched the Healing & Resilient NJ, a centralized hub for individuals, organizations, and communities to learn more about PCEs. The center includes a comprehensive PCE Repository, which offers the latest research, tools, and practical information related to PCEs and resilience.

Q. What are you most proud of as it relates to the campaign and its impact thus far?

A. One of the most affirming outcomes of the PSA has been its reach and engagement. With the support of DCF and a media consultant, the campaign has generated more than fourteen million impressions since October. Even more notably, the click-through rate to the technoference information webpage has been four times the average rate, an exceptionally high level of engagement that signals the message is resonating with audiences.

These results far surpassed initial expectations and reflect strong public interest in learning more about the impact of technology on parent-child connection.

Q. What advice would you give to other states or organizations looking to create similar initiatives to support PCEs?

A. A key takeaway is the importance of listening to community voices. Community input is essential for shaping effective, relevant initiatives, especially when raising awareness about PCEs, a concept that is still less widely understood than related ideas, like protective factors. Emerging research shows that positive experiences in childhood are linked to lower risk of chronic disease and better long-term health outcomes. Translating this science into practical, accessible messaging is critical.

Equally important is how the message is delivered. Effective public health efforts avoid guilt or shame and instead empower people with knowledge in a positive, supportive way — an approach that fosters understanding, engagement, and meaningful change.