Divorced Parents using technology to keep in touch with Children

With advancements in technology divorced parents are using communication technology to have more contact with their children they do not live with. There are many more means of having contact and these are often being utilised by those in this situation. It is even something that has been included in some divorce agreements in the United States. It may not be the same as actually being with children, but it can make not being with them easier.

The telephone is the most obvious way of separated parents and children keeping in touch. It means they can speak regularly. This is especially the case with the cheaper landline calls and deals that are now available. Many children now have their own mobile phones, making it even easier to keep in touch no matter where they are. VoIP technology has also helped. VoIP can be used in a similar way as telephone calls, but it uses a broadband internet connection instead of a landline connection. It is significantly cheaper, and can even be free with some providers. This means it is affordable for divorced parents to speak with their children more often.

Text messaging and email have also made contact easier. If a parent and child have something interesting to tell each other they can just send a quick text message, which takes a matter of seconds. It means they can constantly be in touch with every aspect of each others lives.

Web Cams are another technology being utilised. It allows parents and their children to not only hear each others voices, but to see each other. In some ways it is like being in the same rooms. It is obviously not like living together, but they can physically see each other more. It means parents may feel like they are seeing more of their child growing up than they would otherwise. This is especially used by parents and children who live far from each other and do not see each other as much as they would like.

In America some legal agreements include a certain amount of time spent by parents and children communicating in these ways. Some believe that this helps them build their relationship, but others would argue it should not count towards time spent together as they are not physically there together in the same location. Therefore it may not be appropriate that it counts towards time spent together. However it could be extra time on top of the time they are together, and could still be part of an agreement. Many would say that it should be up to the family to decide, and especially the child, or something that can just be used when deemed appropriate or when it suits all parties.

Andrew Marshall ©

Family Law in Partnership - Divorce Solicitors London


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