Why Dads Still Matter in a High-Tech World

Yesterday was Father’s Day in many countries—a time to celebrate dads and recognise their impact. But in a world shaped by smart devices, algorithm-driven parenting tips, and digital caretaking tools, it’s fair to ask: Is fatherhood becoming outdated?

The question isn’t about whether dads matter—it’s about how modern life, especially its tech-heavy pace, has changed what fatherhood looks like. Once centred on protection, provision, and discipline, the father’s role now sits within a constantly shifting framework, often challenged or replaced by technology, economic stress, and evolving cultural norms.

Still, suggesting that fatherhood is obsolete would be inaccurate and damaging. The idea isn’t dying—it’s changing. The real question is whether we let it grow in relevance or fade into the background.

The Digital Displacement of Dads

Technology has reshaped how we parent. From baby monitors that track a child’s breathing to apps that offer instant parenting advice, technology increasingly fills roles once handled directly by parents. While these tools can provide convenience, they also risk displacing the emotional and relational depth required in human parenting, especially fathering.

Although digital tools can enhance parenting, they often prioritise efficiency over emotional engagement (Livingstone & Blum-Ross, 2020). When screens replace bedtime stories or voice assistants answer a child’s questions instead of a father, the relational element of parenting is diluted.

The modern workplace further complicates the issue. As the gig economy expands and remote work blurs the line between job and home, fathers may be physically present but emotionally absent. They might check emails during family dinners or troubleshoot a work crisis while their child plays alone nearby.

Hochschild and Machung (2012) argue that the “second shift” of domestic responsibilities often still falls disproportionately on mothers, while many fathers struggle to define their role beyond breadwinning, especially when technology allows for passive parenting. Being around is not the same as being involved.

Rethinking the Role: What Today’s Kids Need

But what does involvement look like in this new age? It is not about rejecting technology or trying to restore a 1950s-style father figure. Instead, it’s about intentional engagement.

Research shows that children benefit immensely from having emotionally responsive and actively engaged fathers. Michael Lamb emphasises that when consistent and affectionate, father involvement substantially impacts a child’s cognitive and emotional development (Lamb, 2010). Even small, routine moments—such as helping with homework, talking about a tough day, or playing together—carry long-term benefits.

Yet our culture often undervalues these contributions. The narrative around fatherhood still tends to focus on provision and discipline, while emotional labour is more often expected from mothers. This not only limits fathers but also shortchanges children. If we want fatherhood to remain relevant, we must redefine it to encompass emotional availability, active presence, and equal partnership in caregiving.

One key issue is that many fathers have not been shown to play this expanded role. Often passed down generationally, traditional models tend to emphasise stoicism and authority. In contrast, today’s children need relational skills, empathy, and emotional literacy—areas where fathers must grow.

Pleck and Masciadrelli (2004) point out that fathers who receive social support and are given opportunities to learn these skills are likelier to thrive in their roles. We must invest in parenting education that includes fathers, supports them, and encourages their emotional development alongside their children.

Building a Culture That Supports Modern Fatherhood

Social policy also plays a crucial role. Paid paternity leave, flexible work schedules, and employer-supported child care can shift the culture of fatherhood from optional to essential. These policies signal that fatherhood is both a personal choice and a public good. They legitimise fathers taking time off for child care and help normalise their presence at doctors’ appointments, school meetings, and playgrounds. Without structural support, we risk perpetuating the cycle of absentee or disengaged fathers, not due to lack of interest, but because of lack of access.

Technology can still serve as a tool for good in this context, but only if used with intention. Virtual fathering groups, mental health apps for dads, and co-parenting calendars can help bridge gaps and build community. However, they should support, not replace, genuine human connection. The goal should not be to digitise parenting but to enhance it with the right tools.

Is fatherhood outdated? No. But the outdated idea of what a father should be—stoic, distant, disciplinarian—is the real problem.

In today’s world, children don’t need more devices; they need more dads who listen, show up, and care with both their time and attention. Fatherhood is not vanishing—it’s waiting to be reclaimed in a fuller, more human way.