Area of Research: ?The use of Technology in Family Dynamics & Communication (find Right Title)
I did use chat to organise my literature review but I did all the research using Google scholar – Still adding to it
Technology & Older Adults
- Gitlow, L., 2014. Technology use by older adults and barriers to using technology. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 32(3), pp.271-280.
Gitlow explains that many older adults struggle with using technology because of vision, hearing, and hand movement problems. This is important because it shows that tech design must be easy to see, hear, and use. Some apps don’t think about this enough, but my app will include features like big buttons, readable text, and voice options so that grandparents and elderly family members can use it easily in their everyday lives—not just in medical settings like the study focused on
- Phillips, D.P., 2019. The Left Behind Generation: Instructional Practices to Increase the Technological Literacy of Older Adults.
Phillips talks about how many older adults feel “left behind” by new technology. He explains that they need proper training and support. My app will help by including simple step-by-step guides and videos that teach people how to use it. Unlike most current family apps, mine will be designed with first-time users in mind, especially the elderly.
- Johnson, J. and Finn, K., 2017. Designing user interfaces for an aging population: Towards universal design. Morgan Kaufmann.
Focuses on creating user interfaces that cater to the needs of the aging population, ensuring ease of use and accessibility for older users.
This book focuses on designing apps that older adults can actually use without stress. It suggests using universal design, this means creating one simple design that works for everyone, not just the young or tech-savvy. I want my app to follow these ideas by being clean, clear, and easy to navigate.
- Raghavendra, K., Samyam, N., Golla, S., Athreya, V. and Pujari, N.V., 2024. Adaptive UI/UX for Smart Geriatric Users. In 2024 4th International Conference on Computer, Control and Robotics (ICCCR), pp. 403-410. IEEE.
This newer study looks at how smart devices can be hard for older people to use, and suggests using adaptive design (apps that adjust based on the user’s needs). I plan to include features like customizable font sizes and layouts, so the app fits each person’s comfort level. While many current apps ignore this, mine will be more flexible and inclusive.
Generational Differences in Technology Use
- Van Volkom, M., Stapley, J.C. and Malter, J., 2013. Use and perception of technology: Sex and generational differences in a community sample. Educational Gerontology, 39(10), pp.729-740.
This study shows that younger and older people use and think about technology very differently. For example, older adults may be more careful or unsure, while younger users are quick and confident. My app will bridge this gap by being friendly and familiar to all age groups. Unlike many apps that target only one generation, mine will include features that are intuitive for both teens and seniors.
- Patrikakou, E., 2015. Relationships among parents, students, and teachers: The technology wild card. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 174, pp.2253-2258.
Patrikakou explains how technology can both hurt and help relationships between parents, students, and teachers. The key is how it’s used. I want my app to strengthen family bonds by improving how families talk, plan, and share things, without replacing real conversations.
- Rama, M.D.L.M.D., 2001. Technology generations handling complex user interfaces.
This article points out that older generations often find complex apps frustrating. That’s why my app will avoid cluttered designs and confusing steps. I’ll keep it simple and predictable, so everyone feels confident using it.
Technology in Family Dynamics & Communication
- Guan, Z. and Li, A., 2022. THE PROBLEM SOLVER: A Mobile Platform to Mediate Teenager Family Relationship Using Dart and Machine Learning. In CS & IT Conference Proceedings (Vol. 12, No. 18).
This study shows how mobile apps using machine learning can help improve communication between teens and their families. My app won’t use advanced AI, but it will focus on communication tools that feel natural and personal. Some apps feel too formal or robotic, mine will focus on warmth and connection.
- El-Salhi, S., Farouq, F., Obeidallah, R. and Al-Hami, M.T., 2019. On Developing an Integrated Family Mobile Application. IJACSA International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications.
They designed a family app that helps manage daily life. While that’s helpful, my app goes further by also supporting emotional connection, like sharing messages, journaling, and photos. It will help with both tasks and relationships.
- Clark, L.S., 2012. The Parent App: Understanding Families in the Digital Age. Oxford University Press.
Clark’s book looks at how families use tech in their daily routines—scheduling, chatting, and more. This inspired my app to bring together all those things in one place so families can stay close and organised.
Inclusive Technology & Design Principles
- He, J., 2024. Designing Inclusive Environments Across Generations: A Multidimensional Approach. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media, 52, pp.169-174.
He talks about designing tech that works for all age groups. My app will follow this by making sure everyone in the family, young or old, can use the same features in their own way.
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