Social media and intergenerational bonding through young adults’ communication with older family members

Abstract

Social media platforms have emerged as critical in changing family communication patterns. Particularly, they have widely transformed the family dynamics in the rich cultural dynamics regarding intergenerational bonding. Especially in countries like the United Arab Emirates, the role and impact of these platforms in promoting family relationships remain critical. This micro-level study explores how the UAE’s young generation uses social media platforms to connect with older family members and how these digital interactions strengthen families’ intergenerational solidarity, emotional resilience, and cultural continuity. Theoretically supported by social convoy theory, this research study used a qualitative design to highlight these digital exchanges’ patterns, communication styles, motivations, and perceived effects. The data collected from 15 young adults in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, indicated that social media played a critical role in maintaining family relationships across distances, particularly WhatsApp and Facebook. Participants use these tools to share daily updates, celebrate events, and express care, supporting emotional bonds host of young adults adapted their digital behaviours to include other relatives, guiding them in technology useful stop social media also supported preserving cultural practises through language, religious greetings common storytelling first of all participants highlighted this digital bonding, they acknowledge that face-to-face interactions lack emotions. Overall, these findings highlighted the potential of social media platforms to improve intergenerational communication, cultural continuity, and emotional resilience within diaspora families. The results further provided implications for family-centred sustainability practices, specifically in a multicultural society like the UAE, where conventional values and contemporary technologies continuously intersect.