Grandparent-Grandchild Communication During the Transition to Personal Media

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The grandparent–grandchild (GP–GC) bond off ers an important connection for both generations, second only to that of the parent–child relationship (Kornhaber, 1996). As with all human interactions, the GP–GC relationship is influenced by technology’s eff ect on communication patterns. Though Turkle (2015) worries that mobile technology negatively affects our human connection, she concedes that, “Mobile technology is here to stay, along with all the wonder it brings” (p. 7). Indeed, the plethora of computer-mediated communication outlets available has rewired human communication patterns faster than appropriate society-wide norms can develop (Hertlein, 2012). As people adjust to mediated communication as an integrated part of everyday interaction, one fact emerges: technology has great potential to improve and maintain family connectedness (AARP Research, 2019; Padilla-Walker, Coyne, & Fraser, 2012; Warren & Aloia, 2018).