The Bottom-up Technology Transmission And Intergenerational Relationship In Chinese Family

With the rapid development of communication technology,new media that people use in daily life is constantly changing.The differences in the use of new technology between generations are emerging.The bottom-up technology transmission,during which the younger generation help the older generation adopt and use new media,embraces the older generation to the new digital media environment.The bottom-up technology transmission not only displays how Chinese older generation interact with the younger generation by new media,but also reflects the contemporary intergenerational communication and relationship in Chinese family.This research uses qualitative research method to study the intergenerational interaction in the dynamic process of bottom-up technology transmission,including the reasons,the contents,the changes of communication strategies between generations,the impacts of bottom-up technology transmission and the intergenerational relationships in Chinese family reflected by the bottom-up technology transmission.The study finds that the bottom-up technology transmission reflects the new intergenerational relationship in Chinese family that emphasizes both family values that inherit from the traditional family culture and individualism of family members.On the one hand,the changes of communication strategies in the process of the bottom-up technology transmission show the two generations value the harmony of the family,the support and love between family members,compared with the specific skills that the older generation learn from the younger generation.On the other hand,the bottom-up technology transmission reflects the rise of the individualism of the younger generation and the changes in the distribution of domestic power.In terms of new media,the younger generation are experts and advisers in family,which suggests that they have a greater say in domestic issues compared the old days when there’s no the bottom-up technology transmission in family.Although the older generation are still the decisionmakers in the family,they are more willing to seek suggestions from the younger generation,and both the two generations participate in family decision-making.The relationship between the older generation and the younger generation has changed from"authority-obedience" to "negotiation-equality".In terms of the impacts,the bottom-up technology transmission not only helps the older generation master new media technology and improves the convenience of their life,but more importantly,it embraces older generation to the media environment of younger generation and enhance the sense of sharing and sense of belonging among family members.The bottom-up technology transmission increases communication between the older generation and younger generation and promotes understanding and identification between generations in family,leading to a harmonious,equal,and mutually negotiated family relationship.