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👁️Presence: key voices

Presence · Quality of attention over quantity of hours — presence means undistracted engagement, not perfection or constant entertainment.

At a glance
Score intensity

Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.

Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology

Quick answers

What defines presence?

Quality of attention over quantity of hours — framed by undistracted engaged attention.

Is there strong evidence on presence?

Evidence score 72/100 reflects published cohort, RCT, and meta-analytic work — gaps remain in cross-cultural replication.

Does presence apply at every age?

Age range All ages marks peak relevance; principles may extend but intensity varies by developmental stage.

How hard is presence in practice?

Difficulty score 55/100 captures typical caregiver load — context, support, and temperament modify real experience.

What do experts agree on?

Consensus score 68/100 — areas of agreement and live debate appear in the science section.

How urgent is attention to presence?

Urgency 75/100 reflects time-sensitivity; some topics tolerate gradual change, others need early action.

Start with this section - Guides & thinkers

Presence drew researchers from psychology, paediatrics, education, and anthropology.

Eight influential figures below span theory, clinical work, and global policy.

Eight guides worth knowing

01

Judy Dunn

b. 1940 · UK

Sibling relationships

Judy Dunn shaped discourse on undistracted engaged attention through research and public writing.

02

WHO Child Health

1948– · Global

Global standards

WHO Child Health shaped discourse on undistracted engaged attention through research and public writing.

03

Vygotsky

1896–1934 · Soviet Union

Zone of proximal development

Vygotsky shaped discourse on undistracted engaged attention through research and public writing.

04

Robert Pianta

b. 1954 · US

School transition

Robert Pianta shaped discourse on undistracted engaged attention through research and public writing.

05

Bowlby

1907–1990 · UK

Attachment theory

Bowlby shaped discourse on undistracted engaged attention through research and public writing.

06

Steinberg

b. 1952 · US

Adolescent brain

Steinberg shaped discourse on undistracted engaged attention through research and public writing.

07

Mark Hinkley

b. 1970s · Australia

Screen time research

Mark Hinkley shaped discourse on undistracted engaged attention through research and public writing.

08

Ainsworth

1913–1999 · US

Strange Situation

Ainsworth shaped discourse on undistracted engaged attention through research and public writing.

Guides lab

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Together they moved presence from opinion columns toward evidence-informed frameworks still debated today.

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