Information and communication technology use among children separated from one or both parents: A scoping review

Abstract

Background The development and diversification of information and communication technology (ICT) are changing the way family members communicate with each other, creating new opportunities for interaction. When children and parents do not live together on a day‐to‐day basis, these technologies may represent privileged means to keep in touch and maintain a relationship. Objective This article aims to review the literature on the use of ICT among children separated from one or both parents, paying particular attention to two contexts: parental separation and foster care. Method A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) framework and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines (Tricco et al., 2018). The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Of the 847 references identified, 11 were selected (six related to parental separation and five related to foster care). The literature dated from 1997 to 2020 and was particularly sparse and heterogeneous (e.g., the definition of ICT and characteristics of participants). Three topics emerged: (a) ICT practices and usage patterns, (b) ICT practices: opportunities and issues, and (c) sociolegal support issues. Implication This study highlights the need for all legal and psychosocial actors to consider the place of digital technology in family relationships.

Doing family online: (In)formal knowledge circulation, information‐seeking practices, and support communities

“…In 2018, the site had 90,000 fans and 875,000 monthly views (https://parfaitemamancinglante.com/about-2/). 6 The same is true of separated family members (see Bakuri & Amaboateng, 2023;Baude et al, 2023;Ducu et al 2023).…”

“…If, on the one hand, the transnational migration of one or both parents leads to the creation of new family patterns (i.e., a child raised by a grandmother or father; inclusion of nonkin caregivers into family dynamics), these authors consider how the intersection of different family situations and the maintenance of family unity through ICT safeguards children's rights. However, in cases where a parent must speak with their children in the presence of another adult, whether it is a guardian, social worker, or the other parent, several issues may arise, ranging from a sentiment of discomfort (Ducu et al, 2023), to possibilities for increased surveillance, manipulation, and even abuse of children-for example, in cases of divorce and children living in foster homes (Baude et al, 2023). In other cases, the overuse of digital devices by parents in the presence of children seems to correlate with an increase in behavior problems (Dworkin et al, 2023).…”

“…6 6 The same is true of separated family members (see Bakuri & Amaboateng, 2023; Baude et al, 2023; Ducu et al 2023). …”

Gender Inequality in Intergenerational Contact After Parental Separation in the Digital Era

“…In their scoping review, Baude et al (2023) highlight that separated parents, particularly those who have little face-to-face contact with their children, enjoy the opportunity to play a role in their children's everyday lives via digital communication. Adult children may have less need to meet their separated parents, given that some activities, like sharing content and catching up, can now be facilitated through smartphones or digital platforms.…”

Adolescents' belonging in post‐divorce families: Examining residential and digital contact with mothers and fathers

“…Finally, parents or adolescents may also perceive burdens with regard to digital media use that could detract from some of the positive sides of digital contact. It could be that experiences are largely shaped by factors inherent to the media or devices that are used (Baude et al, 2022). Thus, rather than focusing solely on the potential affective benefits of digital media use, it would be valuable to examine whether today's availability of digital media also introduces unwanted obligations to connect, whether feelings of privacy are threatened, and whether youth are at risk of feeling guilty or disappointed (Yarosh et al, 2009(Yarosh et al, , 2014.…”