Zooming through development: Using video chat to support family connections

Gabrielle A. Strouse, Elisabeth McClure, Lauren J. Myers, Jennifer M. Zosh, Georgene L. Troseth, Olivia Blanchfield, Ellen Roche, Subul Malik, Rachel Barr
2021 Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies  
Video chat may allow young children and grandparents to develop and maintain bonds when they are physically separated because it enables them to share experiences with each other in real time. We used an ecological model framework to examine factors associated with the development of the grandparent-grandchild relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many families were experiencing reduced opportunities for in-person interaction. We analyzed survey data from grandparents (N = 855) and
more » ... ents (N = 846) of children ages 0-5 years. Predictor variables included participant characteristics (age and education level), proximity variables (geographical distance and whether grandparents had met their grandchildren in person), as well as video chat-specific factors (e.g., frequency of video chats, activities used during video chats). The frequency of video chat and the variety of behaviors engaged in during the video chats predicted grandparents' feelings of closeness to their grandchild as well as grandparents' and parents' enjoyment of family video chats. These predictors were statistically significant after controlling for participant characteristics and physical proximity, suggesting that when families are separated (e.g., due to pandemics, deployment, geographic distance, etc.) family video chats may help to build and maintain grandparent-grandchild connections in an enjoyable way. One future implication is that family video chat may introduce children to the connection between screen and world, a supportive first step in understanding and using technology. closeness, COVID-19, early childhood, ecological systems, enjoyment, family systems, grandparent, grandparent-grandchild relationship, intergenerational relationships, proximity, video chat "We are not seeing each other nearly as often during the COVID pandemic. When we do see each other, I am not holding him very often or for very long. I want him to remember who I am and how much I love him."-Grandparent of a 20-month-old child. "I love to see her development and how she is growing although we are miles and miles apart."-Grandparent of a 5-month-old child.
doi:10.1002/hbe2.268 fatcat:64qqt7zrjngxxkojxo4csb3cge