How technology is and could be designed to reinforce family bonds in my extended family instead of breaking them.
Technology can be designed to reinforce family bonds in extended families. However, there are limitations to technology aiding family bonds. There have been breakthroughs, like Facetime, group calendars, and even social media however these come with limitations. Designing technology to reinforce family bonds in extended families rather than breaking them requires careful consideration of the needs and dynamics of these families (ChatGPT). To design technology that is inclusive to extended families we need to consider inclusivity, shared experiences, and connectivity.
The first thing that needs to be considered when discussing reinforcing family bonds in extended family is inclusivity. This is to ensure that the technology is accessible to all family members, regardless of age, technical proficiency, or location. This may involve creating user-friendly interfaces and providing support for those less familiar with technology (ChatGPT). I believe that Facetime, and phones in general need to be more accessible for elderly people so getting in contact with grandparents, or older relatives wouldn’t be so confusing for them. One experience I have is always having to explain to my grandparents how Facetime and text work. Tech is not very user-friendly for older generations that have a hard time adapting to new technology. There may be some good adaptations like, voiceover, adjustability text size, and spoken contact (Stocks, 2021). However, these adaptations should be easier for them to apply. One solution I propose is limiting all of the unnecessary thing’s phones come with. One thing I believe that should be gone is extra apps, these clutter the phone and I have heard my grandparents even say before how distracting they are, as they seem to hide the important things they need. Another thing that the older generation could go without is unnecessary phone jargon, some things in settings and on the home screen use words that may not make sense when connecting them to an action, like ‘focus’, ‘control center’ and ‘widgets’.
Recent apps and technology allow applications or services that encourage shared experiences among family members (ChatGPT). Facebook is a popular social media platform used by older generations to share personal experiences and photos. Having shared experiences on the web can of course be a scary thing however it is a great way to stay in touch with family members. “Pictures get processed by our brains about 1000 times faster than text (and they) evoke emotions, inspiring thoughts and memories about the event captured.”(“Why”, 2017) Because Facebook is an older app and came out in the generation of our parents, it is easier to access for older people. My grandmother who had lots of trouble with technology, as previously stated, could manage Facebook and loved seeing the pictures I would share. Facebook has also had easier transitions to new updates making it more accessible for older extended families. Having these shared experiences through the use of technology can strengthen family bonds and make the time spent apart seem less great. One altercation that I believe could make Facebook be improved for family connections is to have a family only page. This could be a simple accessible click for people to change their feed to selected family members to specifically see what is going on in each other’s lives. Overall Facebook allows families to stay connected when not together and give a sense of these shared experiences.
Lastly, I think connectivity through collaboration apps is a great way to connect extended families. This is something that isn’t done in my personal family but I think it could make a significant difference. One example is group calendars. Even putting something as simple as your birthday can help include yourself in your extended family’s lives. A reminder of a birthday or a big event, even if you can’t go to it, can create a sense of connection and a conversation starter. These calendars should be easily accessible for older generations as well. Having organized communication about group events as well is important and can improve the time you spend with your family. Figuring out all the details through group calendars allows families to settle and relax when you get there and really put the technology aside. This is implied; however, calendars allow people to really be able to set a time that is not stressful for everyone to get together in person and be 100% there. Connectivity is important as it allows relationships to grow outside of time spent together in person. It is “important to make being connected to our extended family a priority, and technology is a great tool to utilize”(“Why”, 2017). Group calendars could be a great addition to the technology used to stay in contact with family members.
However, using technology for family bonds excessively could make us get lost in the use of technology overall. If you are using technology too much in your home setting, even if it is for family bonds, this can create a technology based environment for young children. In an article to use technology to strengthen family bonds it gives examples to create a balance with tech in the home (Armott, 2023). It offers ideas like, setting an example, having technology free designated times, and encouraging non-tech activities. Children learn by example so setting an example with parents, or teenagers even unplugging can provide children with a sense of a technology free environment. This is separate from when tech is used to connect with extended family. This is linked with having designated tech free time. This ‘tech free time’ can have long term effects, “Creating tech-free times and spaces will help children set boundaries with their use of technology.”(Armott, 2023) As well as having non tech related activities can allow childrens minds to take a mental break and have new experiences without the use of technology. This allows children to then actively participate in non-tech activities on their own in the future. Despite these technology does help create family bonds especially when lots of your family lives far away, like mine.
Designing technology to reinforce family bonds in extended families is a complex and ongoing process. It requires a deep understanding of the family’s dynamics and an interactive approach to design that adapts to their evolving needs and preferences. By considering the principles mentioned above, tech designers can create tools and build upon existing tools that can strengthen family connections rather than weaken them. Overuse of technology or excessive screen time can have negative effects on family dynamics, with the right balance it can reinforce these family bonds that are interrupted by time and space.
References
Arnott, R (2023) How to Use Technology to Strengthen Family Bonds and Communication. The Digital Parents
Stocks, S. (2021) 9 Hidden Settings to Make iPhones More Accessible for Older Adults. Fox. What We Do. https://www.foxrehab.org/9-iphone-accessibility-settings-seniors/
(2017) Why Extended Family is so Important to Childhood Development. Grade Leap Smart Kids. Organized Kids. http://gradeleap.com/blog/family-time-counts/
ChaptGPT where it is sited.
