Virtual in the domestic sphere a study of new media and its social influence on families

Abstract

The present research study explores the social influence of new media on family interactions and relationships. Modern technologies are increasingly influencing and governing the interactions of people. The country s online community has grown exponentially from 20 million in 2000 to 700 million in 2020. The negotiations of its usage in the family context with definite fallouts on members interactions and relationships largely remain unexplored and our knowledge of it is limited and fragmented. The existing literature deals with its overarching influence on young people s minds and illustrates its increasing diffusion in their lives. However, influence on family relationships needed more attention. Taking in parents views along with those of young people presents a composite picture of family communication. The study is guided by following research questions: How is the new media preparing the youth for life challenges? To what extent the socialization function of family is replaced by the new media? What challenges it presents to parents in terms of socializing the children? What are the online experimentation practices of young users, and how parents look at it? The study uses mixed methods combining survey method and focus group discussions with young people and parents of young people. The results indicate that new and social media is significantly integrated into young people s lives today considered as an indispensable tool for connectivity, sociality, identity construction and personality development. Simultaneously, family retains its importance in their lives for providing emotional sustenance and psychological well-being. Parents play pro-active role in acquisition of technology and gadgets in young people s lives, yet they resent cultural mediation of technology that they believe may be responsible for young people s changed behavior and practices. A gendered dimension is revealed in new media negotiations.