Technology and Social Media Can Help AND Hurt the Traditional Family Dynamic

The traditional family dynamic has changed immensely over the past 30 years; arguably due to the rapid technological developments society has seen. Social media has been the pivotal key to changes in the family dynamic as well as other modern advancements.

Social media has proven to be a strong enough of a force to cause major depression in teens. 

The amount of teenagers who have described themselves as being depressed has doubled in the last thirty years, the rising prevalence of the Internet and the increased divorce rate throughout that time is not a coincidence.

Source: technologyspace.weebly.com/hailee-barron

Researchers have developed a theory of a new phenomenon called “Facebook depression,” which is defined as "depression that develops when preteens and teens spend a great deal of time on social media sites, such as Facebook, and then begin to exhibit classic symptoms of depression." Social contact and interactions are a crucial aspect of children's development. The intensity of social media networks has consumed many adolescents to the point where they begin to experience a level of isolation. Their "Facebook depression" can become increasingly dangerous as they turn to self-help blogs that actually are promoting self-destructive behaviors. 

Facebook depression can stem from combination of feelings stirred up from using social media sites. The main culprit comes from the inherent insecurities adolescents have. Preteens and teens are going to constantly be comparing themselves to others, whether it be celebrities or their friends. It is not simply on looks either, they will compare their whole lives to others. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more are mediums for people to brag about their lives. A young girl may be on her Instagram feed and see another girl whom she is jealous of with her boyfriend on vacation. Not only is the girl jealous of the other's bikini physique, she is jealous of the relationship, affection, and even the fact that she is on vacation. When one is being flooded with images like this on not only a daily basis, but on an hourly basis. 

Common symptoms of depression include isolating oneself from friends a family and temperamental behavior, both of which can easily drive a wedge between parents and young-adults.

Parents are becoming increasingly more comfortable with modern technology allowing them to bond with their children.

22% of teens log onto social media sites at least 10 times a day, and it may come as a surprise to learn that about 37% of internet-using parents are checking their social network pages more than once a day. Almost half of parents on Facebook, specifically, have their children on their friend's list. These statistics don't just prove parents' technological abilities, but it shows that they are interacting with their children on a medium their kids enjoy.

A recent University of Kansas study found that parents who actively use Facebook, texting, and other forms of technological communication experience much better relationships with their children than parents who just communicate via phone calls. This strengthened relationship is often due to adolescents constant multitasking. They cannot actively focus on Facebook or be texting another friend if they are talking on the phone with their parent. However, a parent can be added into their constant network of communications if they join the social media sites their kids frequent. 

Statistics reported by Pew Research Center

Additionally, parents are using sites, such as Facebook, to seek out parenting advice. Over 50% of parents on Facebook have asked a parenting question or received emotional support because of a parenting issue via Facebook communications. Just shy of 50% of parents have also found useful parenting advice posted on social media sites. Not only are parents using social media to interact with their kids, but the sites are also serving as an outlet for parents to further improve their relationships with children and their parenting skills.

(Was given extension on video interviews. Depending on my interviewee's answer, I will put my first video clip at the end of this paragraph or at the end of the Facebook depression segment. The question I am asking is "In what way has reproductive technology positively or negatively affected relationships?")

Social media abuse in the form of cyber bullying or extramarital affairs will quickly lead to the destruction of a family. 

Source: adweek.com

Bullying has always been an issue, especially amongst children. With the prevalence of social media, it is inevitable for it to have migrated to that platform. It is much easier to bully someone without face-to-face interaction, it also allows for crueler
messages that may have been withheld in a physical confrontation.

A quarter of teens have been the victims of cyber bullying, while two-thirds have witnessed it, often saying nothing. What is most horrible for a family, however, is that only 10% of parents are aware that it is happening. Cyber bullying is a common cause of depression in young adults, and without a parent's knowledge they may not be able to provide the help or support that their child would need.

However, children are not the only victims of online abuse. A recent survey found that in recent years, 81% of divorce lawyers report a large increase in social network related divorces. Facebook is now one of the leading sources of evidence alluding to a partner's extramarital affair in divorce cases. Another study found a positive correlation between social media use and martial unhappiness.

Social media not only gives spouses more opportunities and temptations to cheat, but it also gives larger risks of being caught. The victim in a cheating marriage can often discover Facebook conversations or text messages between their partner and someone else, giving them substantial evidence to their infidelity.

(I will include second video clip here with interviewee answering question: "How has the prevalence of social media affected modern marriages?"

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) provides non-traditional family's opportunities to conceive creating a new normal family dynamic. 

Source: Experian Public

Recent technologies with artificial insemination have provided a way for non-heterosexual couples to have children of their own DNA. Gay and lesbian couples can use eggs and sperm and donors to make a baby, and even possibly hire a surrogate to carry the child if they are unable to. 

Today, about one-third of LGBT parents are expecting a child. With gay marriage only recently being federally recognized, this is fairly new expectation of LGBT couples. It was also only in March of this year that it became legal for health insurance to financially support same-sex couples in IVF treatment costs. Many LGBT couples may not have had the opportunity to create their own family until now, and this technology creates a new normal for a traditional family dynamic than has been seen in the past.

(I will include final interview clip where I ask the question: In what way has reproductive technology positively or negatively affected relationships?)