A digital illustration of interconnected family silhouette against a blend of international landmarks symbolizing global connection through technology.

Bridging Worlds: How Immigrant Families Navigate Technology, Culture, and Connection

Mira Elwood in Culture & Society June 2025 • 3 min read.

"Discover how technology shapes the lives of immigrant families, fostering connections and bridging cultural gaps in an era of migration."

In an era defined by unprecedented migration, families are increasingly scattered across the globe. Technology has emerged as a crucial tool for maintaining connections, preserving cultural heritage, and navigating the complexities of adapting to new environments. For immigrant families, digital platforms offer pathways to bridge geographical distances and sustain vital relationships.

The story of Sally, who introduced her family to Kakao Talk after moving from Argentina to South Korea, exemplifies this trend. From connecting relatives across continents to sharing daily updates via social media, immigrant families are leveraging technology to redefine family dynamics. As they navigate these digital landscapes, however, they encounter unique challenges and opportunities that demand our attention.

This article explores how immigrant families navigate the integration of technology into their daily lives. We'll delve into the ways these technologies foster connections, reshape cultural identities, and create new forms of social interaction. We will also examine challenges these families faces in technology in their life.

The Digital Lifeline: Connecting Across Borders

A digital illustration of interconnected family silhouette against a blend of international landmarks symbolizing global connection through technology.

Migration patterns, influenced by economic, political, and social changes, have led to the geographical dispersion of families worldwide. As a result, families are increasingly turning to communication technologies to maintain connections across distances. These technologies offer solutions to the challenges of staying connected.

Researchers have noted a contradiction in how families perceive technologies. On one hand, domestic technologies like landline telephones become invisible, handy tools for solving everyday problems. On the other hand, family members, particularly parents, worry about technology's incursion into new spaces and its potential negative impacts on children, relationships, and society. This duality highlights the complex role technology plays in family life, where it can be both a source of connection and a cause for concern.

Maintaining Family Bonds: Digital media helps families stay connected, sharing daily updates and participating in each other's lives.
Cultural Preservation: Technologies facilitate the sharing of cultural traditions, language, and heritage across borders.
Overcoming Isolation: Social platforms provide a sense of community and belonging for family members in new environments.

Immigrant families often grapple with questions of access, affordability, and digital literacy. Despite the potential benefits of technology, disparities in access and skills can exacerbate existing inequalities. It is essential to examine these challenges and ensure that all families have the resources and support they need to thrive in the digital age.

Moving Forward: Research and Recommendations

As technology continues to evolve, further research is needed to understand the long-term impacts on immigrant families. Studies should focus on developing digital media competency, addressing online harassment, and understanding how algorithms shape online engagement. By promoting digital equity and protecting the rights of immigrant families, we can harness the power of technology to build a more inclusive and connected world.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/978-3-319-95540-7_3, Alternate LINK

Title: Families And Technologies In An Era Of Migration

Journal: National Symposium on Family Issues

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Authors: Lynn Schofield Clark

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does technology specifically help immigrant families maintain connections and redefine family dynamics when they are scattered across different countries?

Technology like Kakao Talk and other social media platforms enables immigrant families to maintain vital connections across geographical distances. They allow for the sharing of daily updates and participation in each other's lives, redefining family dynamics and fostering a sense of community, especially for those in new environments. However, disparities in access, affordability, and digital literacy can limit these benefits, highlighting the need for digital equity.

In what ways do immigrant families use technology to preserve and pass on their cultural heritage to younger generations living in different countries?

Digital media helps immigrant families preserve their cultural traditions, language, and heritage across borders. By using technology, families share customs, stories, and values with younger generations and relatives living far away. This helps to maintain a strong sense of cultural identity, but it does not address the potential challenges posed by online harassment and the need for digital media competency.

How do social platforms help immigrant families overcome feelings of isolation when they move to a new country?

Immigrant families use technology to overcome feelings of isolation by connecting with others who share similar experiences and backgrounds. Social platforms and communication apps create a sense of belonging and community in new environments, offering support and friendship. Research is required to determine if algorithms can affect on-line engagement and digital media competency for the immigrant families.

What are some of the worries that parents have about technology's impact on their children and family relationships, and how does this create a complex view of technology's role in their lives?

While technologies such as landline telephones are perceived as handy tools for solving everyday problems, parents may worry about the potential negative impacts of technology on children, relationships, and society. This concern highlights the duality of technology, which is both a source of connection and a cause for concern. Studies are needed to assess the long-term effects and promote digital equity, ensuring that families are protected in the digital age.

What factors cause families to become geographically dispersed, and how do they use communication technology to stay connected despite these distances?

Migration patterns driven by economic, political, and social changes lead to the geographical dispersion of families worldwide. Communication technologies provide solutions to maintain connections across distances, helping families stay in touch and share important life events. Further research is required to fully understand the long-term impacts on immigrant families. Studies should focus on developing digital media competency, addressing online harassment, and understanding how algorithms shape online engagement.