Technology certainly gets a bad rap.
Studies and research bombard us with reasons why smartphones and social media are disconnecting our kids from one another or causing depression.
But technology isn’t all bad.
In fact, there are many ways that smart devices are helping our children become more intelligent and socially aware people – not to mention bringing families closer together!
It’s important to put technology in its place, but don’t write it off as bad for your kids!
There are many ways technology is helping bring families together.
Table of Contents
From a marriage course online to keeping your family entertained, here are 8 Ways Tech Connects your Family Together.
- Allows to Share Funny Posts and Videos
- Preserves Memories
- Spending Virtual Time Together
- Keeps You Entertained
- Helps to Talk When Talking is Hard
- Keeps Your Marriage Healthy
- Play Games Together
- Keeps you In the Loop
-
Share Funny Posts and Videos
One great way families can connect over technology is through the use of tagging.
For example, you see an adorable picture of some puppies on Instagram.
You know your daughter would squeal with delight over the adorable balls of fluff, so you tag her in the picture or DM it to her and wait for the magic to happen.
Tagging or sharing funny photos with friends is another great way to bond since studies show that shared laughter strengthens relationships (plus, it’s good for your health.)
-
Preserves Memories
Many people keep documents of photo albums on their computer, usually sorted by date.
Others use social media to manage their lives.
Either way, these forms of tech are perfect for looking back on the fantastic memories you shared with friends and family.
Not only is it fun to look back at old memories as a family, but the Journal of Positive Psychology found that reminiscing is actually therapeutic and results in improved life satisfaction, well-being, and boosts self-esteem.
-
Spending Virtual Time Together
For parents who have a child going off to college, family members traveling around the world, or if you’re a parent away on a work trip, technology is the perfect way to stay in touch.
With the invention of video calling, we can now have personalized chats with our family members anywhere, anytime.
We can even pop our loved one on Skype or Facetime and “hang out” as we would if they were there with us in person – have breakfast together, watch movies, talk, not talk.
How to connect with your kids? The options are endless!
-
Keeps You Entertained
As parents, we want the best for our kids, and according to research, children perform better academically and mentally when they have two hours of screen time or less each day.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t use technology as a way to get closer.
Watch YouTube tutorials on crafts, learning simple phrases in other languages, or choreograph dance moves.
Netflix is another way families stay entertained via technology.
With a myriad of shows and movies at our fingertips, it can be pretty easy to slip over the two-hours of screen time – Whoops!
-
Talk When Talking is Hard
As our kids grow and mature into teenagers, our parent-kid dynamic is bound to change (we try not to take it personally.
After all, we all remember what it was like to be a teenager, right?)
Throughout puberty our kids will go through all sorts of changes, both physically and socially. Some are great, some, well, not so great.
For the child who wants to open up to their parents but can’t seem to find the courage to do it in person, texting or chatting online can help them find the right words, and pace, to make the conversation happen.
-
Keeps Your Marriage Healthy
Technology can also bring your family closer together by strengthening your marriage.
Studies show that children do better academically, mentally, and emotionally when their parents put their marriage first.
The internet may not be the first avenue you think of to spend quality time with your spouse, but taking an online marriage course is a great way to ensure you’re putting your relationship first.
Since the marriage course is online, you and your spouse can go through the lesson plan at your own pace in private.
While taking such courses, you will learn about goal sharing, building intimacy, the importance of communication and more.
-
Play Games Together
Spending time together as a family is important for strengthening family bonds.
For example, game night or family mealtime has been shown to improve children’s cognitive and linguistic development.
There are many games you can play online or on a console that can promote quality time together.
Playing online Family Feud, card games, racing, Words with Friends, and other trivia games are all great options that expand your child’s thinking abilities.
-
Know What’s Going On
Studies show that staying curious about loved ones is healthy for your relationship.
One great way that tech connects families is through social media.
Not only is this great for staying in contact if your child or a family member has moved away, but it’s also excellent for keeping an eye on our little ones.
Children won’t hesitate to post about their day on their social media accounts, which makes being Facebook or Instagram friends with our kids a perfect way to make sure that they’re not getting into trouble.
Sharing memories online, spending virtual time together on video chat, and keeping your family entertained are just some of the way’s technology is bringing your family together.
Taking an online marriage course is another way technology is helping strengthen families for the better.
Look for the good in tech and your unit will be richly rewarded!
Author Bio:
Sylvia Smith is a relationship expert with years of experience in training and helping couples. She has helped countless individuals and organizations around the world, offering effective and efficient solutions for healthy and successful relationships. Her mission is to provide inspiration, support and empowerment to everyone on their journey to a great marriage. She is a featured writer for Marriage.com, a reliable resource to support healthy happy marriages.
