Technoference and the Power of Family in Using Cell-Phones by College Students in Medan, Indonesia

Abstract

Objective: Technoference towards devices can change interactions within the family. Parents play a significant role in balancing technological advances in the family. This study examines how interference with using devices (technoference) at home affects family attachment.   Methods: The method used in this study uses a quantitative descriptive method. Respondents are students who act as students who actively use devices. The selection of research samples used purposive sampling with a total of 347 respondents. There are three points of technoference between parents and children: frequency, duration and content.   Results: Based on the study's results, it was found that the most dominant technoference in family strength ties was the duration of gadget use by family members, with the most significant indication being that they often ignore calls from their family when playing gadgets. After that, it is followed by the frequency of using gadgets, and the most significant indication is to prioritize gadgets even at ongoing family events. The lowest indicator of technoference to contend with the most significant indicator is judging what family members do on their devices.   Conclusion: Using cell phones should be heeded by various stakeholders such as the government, parents, educational institutions, religious institutions, community members, and peers. It means they should not ignore the facts by transferring the problems to other parties more responsible for interrupting cell phone use, especially the parents and the other family members. The impact of technoference is significant enough, especially on the students’ power of family.