Emerging Technology via Family Communication

Abstract

Family communication is at the heart of the family and its functioning. It is a two-way process in which family members create, share, and regulate meaning. Advances and dissemination of information and communication technologies (ICTs) are constantly changing the way families communicate. However, little is known about the use of different family communication styles and their impact on family well-being. Family communication through verbal and non-verbal interactions play a central role in maintaining family relationships and improving family well-being. It provides family members (who are related through biological, marital, cohabitation and/or emotional relationships) the basis for sharing meaning, connecting, flexibly changing family rules, finding fulfilment and expressing themselves, and sharing attitudes, values and beliefs. Family communication includes the content (verbal and non-verbal), frequency, and nature of family interactions that define the family and build family relationships. The main goal of this study is to look at the link between communication technology and family relationships, to understand whether family interactions are affected when the usage of communication technology increases.