VIVA! Online grandparenting

Grandparents traditionally play a significant role in the Australian family life, but with the government advising older people to stay home, social isolation is changing the way many now approach grandparenting.

A tecnologia facilita a comunicação com a familia no país de origem. Mas nenhuma interação digital substitui a relação e apoio presenciais. Source: Getty Images

Before COVID-19, many Australian seniors had just started to catch up on internet skills and learning to use their devices.  Research by the Centre for Social Impact found that a third of the over 50s either had low digital literacy or didn’t use a digital device or the internet - that trend worsened for the over 70s with about three-quarters digitally disengaged. Even if keeping in touch with grandchildren online may feel challenging, assistance is available....