Technology Has Positive Impact on Family Life

While some observers worry about technology’s increasing presence in our lives, others praise its power to keep families connected in real time. A 2010 survey commissioned by the publisher of Parenting magazine and the producers of BlogHer, Inc., found that most of today’s mothers believe that technology plays a vital role in their own and their families’ lives.

For example, almost three-fourths of the more than 1,000 mothers questioned said that technology-based activities can provide positive family experiences, and 83 percent appreciate technology for its ability to improve their overall quality of life. And while almost all parents who participated in the survey said they set limits on the amount and kind of online content their children access, only 5 percent reported that their child had shown signs of addictive behaviors related to technology.

In 2011, the California-based Barna Group published The Family & Technology Report, which drew on interviews with parents of 11- to 17-year-olds across the country. Among its findings, the report concluded that the majority of parents believe the effects of technology on their families have been neutral or positive rather than negative. Additionally, only about 25 percent of respondents said they experienced family conflicts over media limits.

Rick Bolander, an experienced business executive in the venture capital field, has devoted particular attention to assisting technology start-ups such as Kajeet, Inc., a mobile communications company serving young people and their families. In addition to his position as Managing Partner of San Francisco-based Gabriel Venture Partners, he is a member of Kajeet's Board of Directors.