“While the advent of digital cameras has resulted in people taking more pictures, fewer families are actually printing them for inclusion in photo albums or to frame for display. By exchanging photos via email and storing them on disks or computers, parents are actually jeopardizing the emotional well-being of children who need to see pictures of themselves as they grow to promote self-esteem and security,” said Dr. Condrell.

"In addition, the candid images that truly capture personalities, family members, and moments in time are becoming casualties of the digital camera’s ‘delete’ button, so entire portions of a person’s history are being erased,” he added. Today only 13 percent of digital pictures taken ever end up being archived on paper.