Researchers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) are appealing for parents to come forward and share their experiences of using technology during the coronavirus lockdown.
A team of academics from the Preston university’s schools of nursing and physical sciences and computing, has launched the new study.
It is examining how parents are using technology to stay connected during social distancing and to reduce loneliness during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Parents of primary and high school age children are being asked to share their experiences by completing an online survey by June 7.
Dr Rebecca Nowland, a research fellow at the university, is one of the principal investigators. She said: “Surveys have shown that around a third of parents in the UK report that they feel lonely often or always.
“At UCLan we have been doing a series of studies to address why so many parents in the UK feel lonely and isolated.
“During this recent time with Covid-19, I have seen parents have been using technology in novel and positive ways to stay connected to family and friends and we wanted to capture some of those experiences so we can help parents at this time but also in the future when social distancing is over.
“The study will also help us identify things that make it difficult for some parents to use technology to stay in contact with others.”
The survey is online now at: https://uclan.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_afO2w1BFUVUL7GR?fbclid=IwAR2DwToPpRFMOFKK58xU7wjolYH7GQfg7DZtCmAnLhQxxX6TZD_2_MCdO7g