Exploring family online social media networking experiences

Australian families are using information and communication technologies for networking and

seeking support regarding family matters. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics

(ABS), 86 percent of all families now have access to the internet at home (ABS, 2016). This is

an increase of 83 percent from 2012-13 (ABS, 2016), virtually eliminating some of the social

and geographic barriers historically isolating many families. Electronic social networks can

now transmit social support traditionally only offered in face-to-face encounters (Bambina,

2007). In fact, an ethnographic turn is occurring whereby virtual communities are forming

online (Rouleau, de Rond, & Musca, 2014), as socially isolated parents living in urban

communities too (Drentea & Moren¿Cross, 2005) are turning to the internet to connect with

others. This shift to virtual ethnographies (Rouleau, de Rond, & Musca, 2014) introduces new

communication media for and barriers to the effective exchange and provisions of social and

informational support (Doty & Dworkin, 2014) via online access. Thus, research regarding

specific matters that families are investigating online through social networking and parental

experiences of online social media is warranted.