Grandparents and new communication’s technologies

In this study, collected with the Intercultural Research Training Network Project, coordinated by Peter Smith from some years, we looked at the feelings of both Italian grandparents and grandchildren in using new written communication technologies (particularly text messages, e-mail, e-card and Internet chat) and the extent to which these technologies are used in the GP-GC relationship compared to face-to-face interactions and more traditional technologies (telephone, fax). The hypothesis is that in Italy grandparents have a lot of difficulties in using new technologies and that the contact with the GC is almost face to face. We also think that the data will confirm the prevalent matrilinearity of the relationship.