The Princess of Wales has warned of "technoference," with her centre having provided £100,000 to fund research into solutions to help parents tackle distractions caused by gadgets that disrupt family life.
Kate's Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has urged researchers to submit proposals to address the harm technology can cause to parent-child relationships.
Technoference is the term used for technology-based interference that disrupts interpersonal relationships, such as family time or friendships.
The study chosen will receive £100,000 in funding and work with families across Britain to understand when and why the issue occurs.
Kate's Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has provided £100,000
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It will go towards testing practical ways to reduce its impact, with the findings used to dictate resources for professionals such as health visitors and early years educators.
The Princess of Wales warned about the "epidemic of disconnection" created by smartphones and other gadgets in an essay she co-wrote last month, pushing people to "invest in the relationships you have with each other".
Executive director of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, Christian Guy, said: "There have been numerous studies about how digital devices impact relationships, but there is currently a lack of evidence about what is causing people to turn to their digital devices at times when it is interrupting family life and, importantly, how to help people reduce this unwanted interference.
"The centre is seeking to address these gaps in research so we find the solutions to make a real difference to families' lives."
The Princess of Wales warned about the 'epidemic of disconnection'
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Kate voiced her concerns about the problems modern technology poses to family life in the essay, written alongside Professor Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development.
It focused on how to build strong connections with friends and family in the age of technology.
Prof Waldinger, who took the lead in the article, explained with the princess that it would help children develop "strong social and emotional skills".
The pair added: "While new technology has many benefits, we must also acknowledge that it plays a complex and often troubling role in this epidemic of disconnection.
The princess said the research would help children develop 'strong social and emotional skills'
| GETTY"While digital devices promise to keep us connected, they frequently do the opposite.
"Our smartphones, tablets, and computers have become sources of constant distraction, fragmenting our focus and preventing us from giving others the undivided attention that relationships require.
"We sit together in the same room while our minds are scattered across dozens of apps, notifications, and feeds.
"We're physically present but mentally absent, unable to fully engage with the people right in front of us."
Prince Harry and Princess Kate have both voiced their concerns about phones
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The princess's brother-in-law, Prince Harry, has voiced similar concerns about the danger of phones and social media.
The Duke of Sussex opened up on why he and Meghan Markle have refused to share photos of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's faces.
He told parents they "should be really worried" about putting pictures of their kids online due to the "surge of unregulated AI".
Harry warned: "The reality is from what I've learnt, what I've seen, what I've heard and experienced, especially through the parents network, is you should be really worried, concerned and cautious about putting photographs of your kids online, especially now.
"With this surge of unregulated AI, you just don't know where it's going to go. You don't know how it's going to be [used]."
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