Growing up, people have seen older generations in families save pictures and memories to look back on as the years go by. Now, we save pictures of our loved ones digitally- easier to access and almost impossible to lose. Technology is changing and impacting families in ways we could not have imagined before. The younger generation, however, is quickly surpassing the older generations in digital literacy. They find it easier and smoother to access the world at their fingertips, and keep in touch with people who are geographically distant. To bridge the growing gap between the generations, FamTech steps in to help.
Also known as Family Technology, FamTech aims to use AI and technology to improve connections between families, both near and far. It also helps in saving the key pieces of information that are important to families, like memories and family trees, and also help families stay in touch with each other. With globalisation since the 1990s, we have seen young Indians move abroad, and even more so now with the education and career opportunities they find abroad. When this happens, they leave behind ageing family members, and it is difficult for everyone in this situation to keep in touch. This can create a disconnect within the family.
However, various FamTech based apps are able to bridge this gap within families by creating various apps and services. To strengthen relationships, share experiences, and create intergenerational connections, FamTech can aid this process that can sometimes be long and fraught.
A few key aspects of FamTech are Digital Wellness, Communication Tools, and Preserving Memories. Here we explore them in more detail:
1. Digital Wellness: Along with mental and physical wellness, one must also consider digital wellness now as well. With many people working in front of a screen all day every day, one can face burnout and digital fatigue over time. However, FamTech reframes the narrative around digital wellness and ensures that people can use technology in a way that recharges them. By connecting with their families, people can use their devices in a constructive way, retaining healthy relationships between generations.
2.Communication Tools: Simplifying communication between generations is key to making FamTech work. With people facing various barriers in their family, like distance and language, FamTech apps help bridge this gap. To help people connect with family, these apps have capabilities like video calling, built-in shared calendars, and family tree builders. Enabling real-time connection with various generations
3. Preserving Memories: Digital keepsakes like online scrapbooks, photo sharing, and multimedia and document archives can all be stored in one place. This makes it easy to access, especially for big families that are widely spread. It can foster deeper, more emotional connections with one’s family as well as help preserve family history for future relationships. Not only does this help with creating emotional stability and connections, but it also helps from a practical perspective in case of legal or administrative issues.
The impact of FamTech is far-reaching. It represents a new way in which families connect wth each other, and increase understanding and a sharing of values across generations. They also help the older generation gradually grasp digital tools, as the ease of FamTech apps can empower and encourage them to reach out to a younger generation and vice versa, helps younger generation find common ground with their grandparents.
As we see FamTech continue to evolve, we can see how it will change family dynamics and relationships. Technological advancements can increase the likelihood of making FamTech more popular and easy to use, opening new avenues for personalised communication and connection. Privacy, digital literacy, and accessibility should also be taken into account when using FamTech in our everyday lives. By using this technology to increase understanding, families can navigate an increasingly complex modern world with empathy and kindness.