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A Yahoo and OMD study found that modern families are using technology to their advantage. "Family 2.0," as the study calls it, is "harnessing pervasive technology and media to help them manage busy households and achieve more balanced, satisfying lives." Members of Family 2.0 have also apparently managed to extend their days by 19 hours through multitasking.

Anecdotal evidence may suggest that technology can isolate family members from one another, but the study refutes that.

"The study shows that regardless of their size or composition, today's families value time-honored traditions like dining together, and they're using technology to help manage busy, family-centered lives," said Wenda Harris Millard, Yahoo's chief sales officer, in the press release.

"Technology is essential to family life, not because people love gadgets, but because it helps them do what they want to do," she continued. Findings from the research project supported that statement - 70% of the people involved "agreed that technology allows them to stay in touch with family," and 54% felt "that without technology they wouldn't be able to stay in touch with friends and family.'"

Technology is allowing something else that wouldn't normally be possible. U.S. respondents defied the normal definition of a day by listing "on average, a total of more than 43 hours of daily activities." A number of these activities, such as "listening to the radio" and "commuting," could of course overlap. Joe Uva, the president and CEO of OMD Worldwide, offered a positive interpretation of those busy schedules.

"It's clear that within the 43-hour day,' families are making concerted efforts to spend time together and to live out a new family value that says we control technology - it does not control us.'"

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Doug is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest eBusiness news.