Families For Life | Click, swipe, share: How technology is connecting our generations

Technology has changed how we interact with our loved ones. With a few taps, we can reach our family and friends. Keeping up with extended family also feels easier when following each other on social media. For families, technology has brought us closer and helped us connect in new ways.

Of course, it’s still important to keep an eye on your child’s screen time (you can check the recommended screen time for your child here). However, with guided use, their mobile devices can become a wonderful tool to bridge generations and deepen connections with their grandparents. Let’s explore the different ways you can use technology to bring your family closer!

Build bonds anywhere

Between school, work, chores, and appointments, families who live apart from their grandparents might not always be able to visit and spend time together. However, technology has made it much easier to stay connected through video calls, voice messages, and texts.

Setting up regular video calls (weekly or even nightly) can help you and your children stay in touch with their grandparents. Older children might enjoy having quick chats with their grandparents through voice and text messaging when they are free. This way, your children can bond and nurture their relationship with their grandparents even when meeting in person isn’t possible.

However, nothing beats face-to-face time. Technology might help you stay in touch even when you’re apart, but it’s not a substitute for real-life family moments!

Cross language barriers

Language barriers are a common challenge in families, especially between the younger and older generations. Translation apps or online translators like Google Translate are one way technology can help you deepen family bonds and build stronger intergenerational relationships!

Next time your child visits their grandparents, encourage your child to use these tools to communicate. You can turn family bonding moments into a learning opportunity by helping them get familiar with their grandparent’s dialects and languages. At the same time, parents can help facilitate the conversation by using simpler language and working as the translator for their child and parents.

A new point of connection

Social media can help the elderly maintain a connection with their grandchildren in a way that feels less intrusive.

Some children, especially teens, may feel uncomfortable sharing their thoughts through texts or phone calls and feel more at ease on social media. By following their updates, grandparents can stay in the loop and feel connected to their grandchildren while also creating natural conversation starters for real-life catchups.

Social media can also work both ways. Through reverse mentoring, younger family members can guide their grandparents on how to use social media and bond over the experience!

Ultimately, technology can break down barriers that make it difficult for your child to connect with older generations. Translators help your child express their love to their grandparents, and older generations can be present in your child’s busy life through social media and texts. While we should still be cautious about managing our children’s screen time, we should still embrace the technology available that helps us bridge intergenerational gaps!