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Introduction

Maintaining relationships across distances has been a focal point in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Interaction Design. This study explores how grandparents and grandchildren utilize audio-visual communication to preserve their relationship when physical meetings are impossible due to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted in June 2020, the qualitative online survey gathered narratives from 85 participants (68 grandparents, 17 grandchildren) to investigate the role of tangible objects and physical spaces in their communication.

Methodology

The research used a qualitative online questionnaire focusing on the experiences of grandparents and grandchildren during physical distancing. Importantly, this method allowed participants to express their sentiments rather than seek quantifiable data.

• Target Group: Grandparents and their grandchildren.

• Data Collection: Open-ended questions were used to gather rich, qualitative accounts of their experiences.

The Role of Materiality in Communication

Participants reported that tangible objects played significant roles in facilitating communication. Objects helped bridge emotional gaps during virtual interactions and served as conversation starters, providing shared experiences even in a dislocated setting.

• Tangible Objects: Included toys, books, food items, and pets, which were shown or discussed during calls.

• Purpose of Objects: They served to demonstrate activities, initiate discussions about shared interests, or simply as sources of entertainment.

Forms of Interaction

1. Talking About Objects: Conversations often revolved around objects like books or toys, which provided context and engagement.

2. Showing and Sharing: Actions such as showcasing pets or crafts allowed participants to engage actively, enhancing the feeling of presence despite physical distance.

3. Playing Together: Engaging in games via video calls added a playful dimension to their interactions, maintaining a sense of fun.

4. Storytelling and Reading: Shared storytelling sessions with physical books proved to be vital for bonding, creating memorable experiences during interactions.

The Theoretical Framework: Actor-Network Theory (ANT)

The analysis drew upon Actor-Network Theory (ANT) to understand the dynamics among human and non-human actors in these intergenerational relationships. Key concepts included:

• Actors: Both human (grandparents, grandchildren) and non-human (books, toys) actors contribute to the interaction.

• Agency: Different actors displayed varied agency levels; some mediated the interaction while others acted as intermediaries without changing meanings.

• Mediators vs. Intermediaries: Effective facilitators that influenced conversations (mediators) were distinguished from objects that served purely functional roles in the communication setup (intermediaries).

Findings: Activities and Objects

Activities Reported

The findings revealed a wide array of activities grandparents and grandchildren engaged in during online meetings:

• Talking about personal experiences, family news, or discussing shared interests.

• Showing environments (homes, gardens), crafting items, or pets through the camera.

• Playing games, singing, or creative activities together to foster engagement.

Importance of Physicality

Physical items were crucial in these interactions, as they provided a sensory component to digital meetings. The study revealed that simply seeing and discussing objects led to emotional engagement, which was often lacking in standard video chats.

• Example: A grandparent explained how sharing baked goods visually during a call would boost affection by showcasing the care taken in preparing them.

Design Sensitivities and Implications

Design considerations emerged from the analysis, emphasizing the need for technologies that cater specifically to intergenerational video communication:

• Temporal Trajectories: Designs should support the meaningful transfer of objects between online and offline interactions.

• Spatial Configuration: Develop virtual spaces that allow users to navigate their physical environments together during remote interactions to enhance shared experiences.

• Agency Dynamics: Recognize the different roles objects play; design technologies that leverage both intermediaries and mediators effectively to foster meaningful relationships.

Limitations and Future Work

The study faces limitations such as uneven representation among participants and the specific context of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting results. The authors suggest future research could explore different contexts for intergenerational relationships beyond physical distancing.

Conclusion

This study underscores the unique experiences grandparents and grandchildren have during remote video calls, highlighting how materiality plays a role in maintaining these relationships. The insights suggest that the design of communication technologies can benefit from focusing on the intricate interplay between human and non-human actors, enriching the emotional depth of online interactions.