Social Media and Family Dynamics across the Life Course A MultiGenerational Perspective

This edited volume explores the interplay between social media and family life across life stages, with contributions from scholars in sociology, psychology, communications, and other fields. Unlike many existing studies on social media that focus primarily on parenting of adolescents, it takes a broader approach by analyzing social media and family dynamics from early childhood through old age, also considering intergenerational relationships broadly. From the phenomenon of “sharenting” and the effects of social media on young children to the role of social media in grandparenting and in coping with death of family members, this volume engages with critical issues like “digital heartbreak,” surveillance within families, and the evolving nature of kin connections. It includes diverse methodological approaches such as qualitative ethnographies, survey-based research, and theoretical analysis. It also includes international perspectives, thus expanding the discourse beyond U.S. and U.K. contexts. The volume is divided into four parts and offers both empirical and theoretical perspectives on how social media shapes family roles, relationships, and experiences at different life stages. Written in an engaging and accessible style, it is highly relevant for scholars and students in family sociology, life course sociology, and social media studies.