Does constant connectivity have an impact on the development of social skills? If so, how? Child development is defined as the physical, mental, social, and emotional development of an individual throughout the life span (University of Washington Department of Education, n.d.). Individuals whose constant connectivity influences behaviors will be compared and contrasted to the development continuum. Using a combination of past literature, observation (anecdotal evidence), deductive and inductive reasoning, along with verbatim translation of the participants’ words to the interview questions; the authors will explore the impact of digital connectivity on the normative development continuum.

Seven individuals were interviewed before data saturation occurred. The participants were recruited via a convenience sample accessed using internet recruitment. In addition to demographic data, interview questions focused on a range of topics including interpersonal relationships, vacation, work, sleep, and entertainment. All of the participants spent more than five hours a day accessing the internet for non-work-related activity.

Responses confirmed that constant connectivity was ubiquitous in the participants’ daily lives and influenced their daily activities. Some participants were more affected by their connectivity than others. The participants in this qualitative study would be considered fully developed adults. The influence constant connectivity had on these adults’ daily lives infers that children, with less developed mental faculties, will be affected to an even greater extent.