Social media dinnertime distractions - 15th February 2016

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Checking texts and status updates, and watching TV, are detracting from Australian dinnertimes.

Some of us even dread dinner or skip dinner altogether, research commissioned by MasterFoods Australia shows.

The traditional sit-down family dinner no longer appears to be the norm: Australians eat half their weekday dinners at any kind of table and 50 per cent are munching at least once in front of the TV each week.

Almost a third of those in the 18 to 24 age bracket eat dinner in bed at least once a week and those aged 25 to 34 are most likely to eat on the go.

Half of the households surveyed say they are distracted during dinner, be it from video games, TV, taking calls and texts, checking social media sites or generally surfing the internet.

Psychologist Sabina Read said many Australians want more laughter, fewer complaints, everyone being at home and less effort involved in preparing and eating dinner.

DINNERTIME IN AUSTRALIA:

On average Australians eat with family more than four times a week

Mondays top day for social dining with family and friends

Average weekday dinnertime with friends 44 minutes; 34 minutes with family

On weekends it's 58 minutes with friends; 45 minutes with family

52 pct distracted at their last dinner

Distractions: Technology (36 pct), entertainment (36 pct), worries about finances, family or work (28 pct), arguments (22 pct), children in general (17 pct)

One in six dread dinner

73 pct prepare dinner from scratch at least once or twice a week

12 pct ate same meal repeatedly in past month.

Source: Lifting the Lid on Dinnertime report commissioned by MasterFoods. Based on survey of 1500 Australian households.

(AAP)