No one can deny the increasingly profound influence of technology on modern family life. From how people communicate, schedule time to study and entertain, everything is more or less affected by electronic devices, software and online platforms. This change opens up many new opportunities for families to connect and support each other, regardless of geographical distance or the busy life. With a smartphone, grandparents from afar can see the child's smile in just a few seconds. With an online calendar application, parents and children can easily grasp the common living plan, avoid conflicts and increase coordination.
Previously, whenever a nephew went to study far away or study abroad, I rarely talked to or asked them. Since my daughter bought a smartphone, they have been able to call and ask about me more often and make each other more missed, said Ms. Phan, in Thai Nguyen.
However, like any other tool, technology is not perfect. Utilities that come with the exchange. Family meals are sometimes interrupted by text message bells, and evening groups are divided into small groups by personal screens. Social connection can impair real connectivity. In that situation, understanding how technology affects the family, both positively and negatively, is necessary to move towards a harmonious and sustainable life.
Full of difficulties in the past
Before the internet, just a long-distance call could cost a family. Nowadays, thanks to video calling apps, face-to-face chats are becoming easier and completely free, regardless of geographical distance. Relatives living in different cities, even in other countries, can attend each other's important moments, from birthday parties, graduation ceremonies to weekend meetings. Technology has fading away space barriers, allowing emotional presence to spread more widely than ever.
Not only connecting, technology also plays a supporting role in organizing and operating family life. Schedule sharing apps help members know their child's school schedule, parent meeting, or family vacation. Thanks to the transparency of time, misunderstandings or overlaps in daily life are reduced, helping the family operate as a unit.
"My husband is currently working away from home, but at mealtime, my wife and children all make family videos to eat together. Although we cannot sit down to eat together, at least the family can still connect during mealtime, said Ms. Hoang Anh, who lives in Hanoi.
In the field of education, technology opens the door to diverse and vibrant knowledge. Children can learn math, science, and language through attractive interactive applications. More importantly, many parents study and interact with their children through these platforms, creating a shared learning experience, thereby enhancing cohesion and understanding between generations. Learning is no longer limited to books but has become an experiential journey that the whole family participates in.
Technology also contributes significantly to entertainment and relaxation at home. Family games on electronic devices, mountain climbing tracking applications, digital photo diaries... bring opportunities for members to share their joy and explore new things together. A picnic can be more enjoyable when the whole family uses a plant identification application or together designs a digital album from recorded moments.
By integrating technology into daily life, modern families not only optimize living but also enhance emotional connection. When used consciously and in the right dosage, technology becomes a bridge, helping to heal pieces that may have been broken up in the past due to time, space or the pressure of life. Family is now not only a place to live, but also a small community with rich, modern interactions but still imbued with humanity.
Challenges of generational gap
Although technology brings many obvious benefits to family life, it is impossible to ignore the difficulties it creates, especially the gap between generations. Children born in the digital age are exposed to technology very early, making them more proficient and comfortable than their parents, even grandparents. This difference in digital skills can easily lead to misunderstandings, disagreements and even loss of control in the use of technology.
When a child accesses information through social networks and online platforms, they can be affected by ideas and lifestyles that are different from the traditional values of the family. Mixed views on society, ethics or behavior can create tension between parents and children. In addition, children's freedom to express their views through digital platforms also changes their role of power in the family, forcing parents to face changes in their familiar relationships.
To narrow this gap, the important thing is not that parents have to become "technology savvy" like children, but the willingness to dialogue and learn from each other. When parents show their children's interest in the digital world, willing to learn and share, the relationship will be built on a foundation of trust and understanding. On the contrary, children also need to be instructed on how to use technology responsibly, thereby developing the ability to think criticizing and better understand family values.
The challenge does not stop at the content approach but also the time of use. When each family member spends many hours in front of their own screen, the time together becomes limited. Meals are interrupted by text messages, gatherings are replaced by "each person has a device". A physical presence does not mean a spiritual connection, and that is what many families are facing today.
The solution to this situation lies in establishing clear limits on the time of using technology. non-technology indoor areas, such as dining tables or living rooms in the evening, can become a space for communication and connection. When technology is used intentionally, towards connection without interruption, the family will regain the original closeness.
In addition to challenges, technology generation gap is also an opportunity to build a relationship based on collaboration. When children learn to use a video call application or when parents ask their children how to install a learning software, this discussion not only helps narrow the technical gap but also fosters the spirit of respect and mutual learning. Modern families do not need to eliminate differences, but should learn to coexist and develop through those differences.
