New research confirms what many families already knew – cellphones help them stay closer.

While most news articles focus on the negative aspects of new technologies and Internet services, the benefits we reap as a society, as couples, as families, and as individuals, far outweigh the risks – when some basic safety precautions are in place.

According to a new report published by the Pew Internet and American Life Project (PEW), technology has become a central feature of families’ day-to-day lives. In spite of news stories frequent suggestions that technology is fraying family ties, the research found that cell phones and the internet help families stay in touch and coordinate schedules throughout the day – and that shared experiences an entertainment often occur online when family members are at home.

In fact, the research found that the majority of adults with cellphones and internet-connected lives feel that their families are as close, or closer, today than their families were when they grew up.

Increased connectedness is not limited to immediate family members, 33% of internet users feel they have improved their connections to friends “a lot” and that cellphones and the internet are particularly helpful with staying in touch with extended family.

Not surprising, younger users take greater advantage of the internet’s social opportunities: 49% of wired 18-29 year olds say the internet has improved their connections with friends.

For younger adults, the internet has not affected the amount of time spent with friends, family or socializing in person. Instead, making time for online activities has come at the expense of TV time – with a sharp 29% drop in TV viewing by the youngest adult segment.

Not all the news is as positive; the research also found that highly tech-connected families were less likely to eat dinner together and less satisfied with the quality of family and leisure time. Another downside is the blurring of traditional lines between time at work and time at home. Among employed internet users, 19% say the connectivity has increased the amount of time they spend working from home– suggesting that maintaining firm boundaries on tech-use for all members of the family is important to sustaining quality ‘family time’.

Feel like the internet is stealing your family time? Consider evaluating how much your cellphone, email, and Internet use may be preventing you from relaxing and focusing on quality family time, and perhaps how you can increase your family’s interactive play. Perhaps family online gaming replaces the traditional board games of yesteryear. If you can’t beat em’, join em’.

Linda