Overview

• The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood published the essay, titled “The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World,” on Thursday.
• Citing the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the authors say the strongest predictor of health and happiness is the quality of human relationships.
• They warn that phones and other devices create constant distraction and an “epidemic of disconnection,” with particular risks for babies and young children and rising loneliness among 16- to 24-year-olds.
• The essay urges parents to protect undistracted time together, including family meals and face-to-face conversation, and to model presence for their children.
• Kate visited Home‑Start Oxford the same day to meet families and volunteers as the charity prepares to use the Centre’s new animated explainer films, following Prince William’s recent note that their children do not have smartphones.