Intergenerational digitally mediated relationships: how Portuguese young adults interact with family members over 65+

Abstract

Considering the issue of population ageing, its differences and inequalities, also in a pandemic context, this paper aims to explore intergenerational digital mediation relations and practises in Portugal. Therefore, this research departs from the following questions: (RQ1): How do Portuguese young adults interact online with family members over 65+?; (RQ2): Do digital relationships across generations promote active citizenship participation? The survey has a representative sample (N = 1500) of the Portuguese population of young adults between 18 and 30 years old. Results show that the most frequent activities to interact with relatives over 65 years old are a) sending messages through mobile apps (48.67%); b) using social media (48.66%); c) making audio calls with them via mobile apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger (46.45%) and d) encouraging them to look for reliable information on the Internet (44%). The study’s main conclusion is that the Portuguese context suggests intergenerational solidarity associated with technologies helps combat social isolation, promote autonomy, and prevent dependence within older generations.