New research has found more Kiwi parents are feeling disconnected from their kids.

Sanitarium's research shows families mostly come together only to eat or watch TV.

More than 80 percent of New Zealanders also thought their kids' childhoods were more complicated than their own.

Psychologist Doctor Gary Harmansson told Mike Hosking technology like iPads and computer games are contributing to the disconnection.

"It's important to be able to plan how to build that into our lives and make it part of it rather than, sometimes, all of it."

LISTEN ABOVE AS GARY HARMANSSON SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING