International Journal of Human Ecology

The Korean Home Economics Association (대한가정학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

An Exploration of Families Use of Information and Communications Technology: The Case of Korea and the United States

  • Brady, John T. (Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Bohan (Seoul National University) ;
  • Rha, Jong-Youn (Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2015.10.19
  • Accepted : 2015.12.08
  • Published : 2015.12.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

As information and communications technology (ICT) becomes increasingly integrated into the daily lives of people around the world, it is important to know how the technology is influencing the behaviors of individuals and families. This study looked at the ecology of families as it is related to ICT and the changes to processes that occur as ICT devices and services are integrated into the family. A survey of 1084 families was conducted. Five hundred of the families were from the United States and 584 families were from Korea. Significant differences were found in the use of ICT by Korean and American families although the source of this difference was not clearly identified in this study. Three clusters of families were identified based on their use of devices and services. These were labeled as; 'The Tech Savvy', 'The Wireless Users', 'The In-betweeners', 'The Wired', and 'The Just Mobile'. 'The Tech Savvy' used the greatest variety of ICT technologies and 'The Wired' used the fewest. Other clusters fell in the middle with families seemingly using the devices which met their particular needs. Two factors related to ICT integration into the family were identified. These were related to family intimacy and family relationship maintenance. The family cluster identified as 'Tech Savvy' made significantly greater use of ICT in these relationships and 'The Wired' made the least use of ICT in these areas. The other clusters tended to be between the two ends and tended not to be significantly different from each other in their use of ICT. Finally, models for ICT use by families showed that demographics, nation of origin, types of devices and services used, and attitude and interest in ICT all had a significant impact.

Keywords

References

  1. Carlson, J., Chan, A., Chan, J., Kurato, Y., Soong, C., & Yang, J. (1999). The influence of technology on families: An Asian perspective. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 7(3), 231-235. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480799073006
  2. Chesley, N. (2006). Families in a high-tech age: Technology usage patterns, work, and family correlates, and gender. Journal of Family Issues, 27(5), 587-608. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X05285187
  3. Chesley, N. & Fox, B. (2012). E-mail’s use and perceived effect on family relationship quality: Variations by gender and race/ethnicity. Sociological Focus, 45(1), 63-84. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380237.2012.630906
  4. DeGusta, M. (2012). Are smart phones spreading faster than any technology in human history?. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Review.
  5. Davis, V. (2012). Interconnected but underprotected? Parents' methods and motivations for information seeking on digital safety issues. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15(12), 669-674. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0179
  6. Devitt, K. & Roker, D. (2009). The role of mobile phones in family communications. Children & Society, 23(2009), 189-202. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1099-0860.2008.00166.x
  7. Eurobarometer (2014). E-communications and telecom single market household survey: Summary. Special Eurobarometer 414. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_414_sum_en.pdf
  8. Hertlein, K. (2012). Digital dwelling: Technology in couple and family relationships. Family Relations, 61(3), 374-387. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2012.00702.x
  9. Hughes, R. & Hans, J. (2001). Computers, the internet, and families: A review of the role new technology plays in family life. Journal of Family Issues, 22(6), 776-790. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251301022006006
  10. Huisman, S., Edwards, A., & Catapano, S. (2012). The impact of technology on families. International Journal of Education and Psychology in the Community, 2(1), 44-62.
  11. Kennedy, T., Smith, A., Wells, A., & Wellman, B. (2008). Networked families. Pew Internet & American Life Project, October 19, 2008.
  12. Lee, S. & Chae, Y. (2007). Children's internet use in a family context: Influence on family relationships and parental mediation. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 10(5), 640-644. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2007.9975
  13. Mesch, G. (2003). The family and the internet: The Israeli case. Social Science Quarterly, 84(4), 1038-1050. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0038-4941.2003.08404016.x
  14. Mesch, G. (2006). Family relations and the internet: Exploring a family boundaries approach. The Journal of Family Communications, 6(2), 119-138. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327698jfc0602_2
  15. Murray, C. & Campbell, E. (2015). The pleasures and perils of technology in intimate relationships. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 14, 116-140. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332691.2014.953651
  16. Padilla-Walker, L., Coyne, S., & Fraser, A. (2012). Getting a high-speed family connection: Associations between family media use and family connection. Family Relations, 61(3), 426-440. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2012.00710.x
  17. Schneider, J. (2000). Effects of cybersex addiction on the family: Results of a survey. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 7, 31-58. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720160008400206
  18. Şenyürekli, A. & Detzner, D. (2009). Communications dynamics of the transnational family. Marriage & Family Review, 45, 807-824. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494920903224392
  19. Stern, M. & Messer, C. (2009). How family members stay in touch: A quantitative investigation of core family networks. Marriage & Family Review, 45, 654-676. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494920903224236
  20. Tee, K., Brush, A., & Inkpen, K. (2009). Exploring communication and sharing between extended families. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 67(2009), 128-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2008.09.007
  21. Wajcman, J., Bittman, M. & Brown, J. (2008). Families without borders: Mobile phones, connectedness and work-home divisions. Sociology, 42(4), 635-652. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038508091620
  22. Williams, A. & Merten, M. (2011). iFamily: Internet and social media technology in the family context. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 40(2), 150-170. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-3934.2011.02101.x

Cited by

  1. A Study of Cross-Country Comparison of ICT Usage in Family Context vol.14, pp.8, 2016, https://doi.org/10.14400/JDC.2016.14.8.277
  2. The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Family Dynamics : Difference Between Parents and Children vol.11, pp.3, 2015, https://doi.org/10.4018/ijicthd.2019070101