Are Parents Missing Out By Taking Too Many Pictures of Their Kids?

There is no shortage of opportunities to take pictures of your kids, but a new study says taking pictures and videos makes it harder to remember those special moments.

Are parents missing out by taking too many pictures of their kids?

With three kids ages 7 and younger, I'm as guilty as anyone of wanting to take a lot of pictures and videos.

There is always a moment to capture.

I try to make my picture and video taking quick, so I'm not spending too much time behind a camera lens.

Researchers at Fairfield University in Connecticut say taking pictures and videos make it harder for the brain to create memories.

Telegraph.co.uk reports:

Dr Linda Henkel, from Fairfield University, Connecticut, described it as the "photo-taking impairment effect".

She said: "People so often whip out their cameras almost mindlessly to capture a moment, to the point that they are missing what is happening right in front of them.
"When people rely on technology to remember for them - counting on the camera to record the event and thus not needing to attend to it fully themselves - it can have a negative impact on how well they remember their experiences."

Digital cameras and phones have made taking pictures and documenting events easier than ever.

It's fun and important to take pictures while your kids are growing up, but there's a difference between taking a quick picture and trying to get the perfect shot or shooting a long video.

There's a time to try to get a perfect picture, just not every time.

There's a middle ground in there somewhere and that middle ground is a little different for everyone.

Follow Matt Milhouse on Facebook and Twitter. Listen to 100.5 The River weekdays, 10 a.m.– 3 p.m.

Filed Under: pictures