How does Information and Communication Technology (ICT) promote family harmony
By Mr. Cheng Tsz Chung, a social worker at the Wan Chai Integrated Family Service Centre, SJS
Children enjoy playing electronic games as they can effectively distract them and help them forget their worries. Many parents are concerned that prolonged gaming can lead to addiction, causing children to avoid dealing with negative emotions and problems from school or life. This might also result in a reluctance to communicate face-to-face, affecting their social skills. These concerns are understandable. However, with the rapid advancement of technology, parents must face the reality that children will increasingly encounter electronic devices. Instead of resisting, we should leverage these technologies in a fun and positive way to promote harmony and coexistence with ICT.
Our center will leverage information and communication technology to innovate family services, tailoring broader and deeper communication models for each family. We will organize various groups and activities related to ICT to promote family harmony. For example, the center will create electronic messages on different themes, allowing families to send them through familiar communication and social platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, WeChat, or email. This encourages interaction among family members, fostering expressions of encouragement, praise, and gratitude. By creating a higher quality communication atmosphere, families can engage more, spend more time together, and develop hobbies with their children, thereby enhancing family relationships.
Additionally, in our busy lives, we encourage family members to use mobile phones to strengthen their relationships. Specific apps or games can help deepen their understanding of each other, and even simple text inputs can express heartfelt messages. This makes it easier for family members to communicate their emotions using ICT. Indeed, some feelings can be awkward to express directly, but using technology as a communication bridge allows family members to practice sharing their thoughts, promoting positive family communication. Furthermore, if resources permit, the center can introduce Virtual Reality (VR) technology. Families can experience wearing VR headsets at the center, simulating home environments where they can decorate their homes together, complete family tasks, find hidden cartoon characters, clean the house, or learn in a fun way. The goal is to create beautiful memories and strengthen bonds in a playful atmosphere.
In addition to the examples mentioned, the applications of ICT at the family level are numerous. The advent of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) allows parents to communicate with their children more quickly and effectively, fostering interactive family relationships. Children can enhance their visual and spatial awareness through ICT-related games, improving their decision-making speed and accuracy in game scenarios. This helps them experience positive emotions such as joy, curiosity, and satisfaction during gameplay. The center will gradually introduce a series of family groups and activities related to ICT, and we look forward to your participation!
