The role of mobile devices in 21st-century family communication

Abstract

Use of media devices has evolved over the past 10–15 years and the resulting effects on family communication are of interest for this study. Through 26 semi-structured interviews, the authors sought to understand the role mobile devices play in family communication. Qualitative grounded theory analysis was used to find themes and interpret results (Creswell, 2013). One overarching paradoxical theme emerged from these data, family connect–family disconnect. In family connect, categories of across distance, reassurances, and boundaries are shared. Within family disconnect, distractions, misunderstandings, and negative emotional responses are conveyed. Future research avenues recommended are decision making related to mobile devices based on values and morals, in-depth social media and app usage, emoji emotional responses, individuals under 18 and between 18 and 30 years old, and a network analysis of one extended family.

Social media, rituals, and long-distance family relationship maintenance: A mixed-methods systematic review

“…In the transnational context, 86.8% (33/38) of studies found that families used audiovisual calls to share everyday interactions. Audiovisual communication provided non-verbal cues which facilitated the development of more "natural" grandparent-grandchild ties; allowed absent adults to view the growth of children; and parents to scaffold conversations for very young children (Bacigalupe and Bräuninger, 2017;Cabalquinto, 2018b;Francisco, 2015;Ivan and Hebblethwaite, 2016;Kalavar et al, 2015;Madianou, 2016;McClure et al, 2015;Nedelcu, 2017;Pustułka, 2015;Riain, 2015;Share et al, 2017;Storch and Ortiz Juarez-Paz, 2019). Ito and Okabe (2005) suggest some transnational families use video calls over many hours, known as ambient co-presence.…”

“…Family celebrations and traditions. Families call each other using audio and audiovisual, send messages and content, and share information on Facebook to celebrate rituals such as Christmas (Cabalquinto, 2018c;McClure et al, 2015;Storch and Ortiz Juarez-Paz, 2019). The virtual co-presence of absent members via audiovisual calls is encouraged for special events to facilitate emotional connection (Neustaedter et al, 2015).…”

“…Grandparents value the routine of game playing online to establish a sense of familiarity and connectedness with their distant grandchildren (Kelly, 2015;Storch and Ortiz Juarez-Paz, 2019).…”

“…People may use broken technology as an excuse to avoid offending family members (Nishitani, 2014;Pustułka, 2015). Communication approaches using synchronous modes such as audio are ignored; individuals choose respond via asynchronous messages (Harper et al, 2017;Storch and Ortiz Juarez-Paz, 2019). Parental questions and curiosity may be seen as burdensome or interpreted as a form of control and thus children may avoid contact to ease this perceived pressure (Nedelcu and Wyss, 2016;Shiau, 2015;Zhao, 2019).…”

“…For example, a wife refuses to answer her absent husband's audio calls for three days because she is angry with him (Ahn, 2017) or a father refuses to talk with his left-behind daughter until she obeys her mother (Cabalquinto, 2018a). The rejection of attempted contact can be a cause for hurt, irritation, or sorrow for the demander (Ahn, 2017;Barrie et al, 2019;Madianou, 2014;Shiau, 2015;Storch and Ortiz Juarez-Paz, 2019).…”