It’s important to spend time with family; that time spent together becomes a collection of essential moments in a child’s life. Family is a child’s first teacher and role model and it is a long-lasting relationship that sustains a bond. Everyone belongs to a family and it’s family who keeps us together through thick and thin.

Throughout the past years, technology and friends have changed the amount of time a child spends with their family. Although spending time with friends is fun and provides long-term physical and mental health benefits, family is more important and being with them often yields more. The most distinct reason for a decrease in time spent with family is technology. Technology is the main source of entertainment in most children’s life. It is often used throughout the day and the Kaiser Family Foundation’s 2010 study estimated an average of five-and-a-half hours of media use for ages eight to 10, eight hours and 40 minutes for those aged 11 to 14, and just under eight hours for 15 to 18-year-olds.

The Washington Post says that “Among tweens, the most common media activities are watching TV and listening to music. Among teens, the activities are the same, though music edges out the television. For tweens, playing mobile and video games, plus watching online videos, round up the top five activities. Teens watch videos, play videogames and use social media.” Even though phones aren’t the only technology, they are used most often.

I believe that children and teenagers should spend more time with their families rather than technology and friends. Families should find the opportunity to spend quality time together, as researchers claim that kids that do this are most likely to have better social skills, higher self-esteem, better grades, and better behavior.