Abstract
Social support can facilitate better mental and physical health and buffer individuals in times of stress. Social media sites like Facebook provide individuals with an additional avenue to access social support. Online interaction also complements face-to-face communication for intergenerational family engagement. This chapter explores how social support operates online and discusses the ways in which social media has seeped into the fabric of family interactions for humans across the lifespan. While there are obstacles posed by online interaction, digital media practices can help overcome time and distance barriers for many families and provide connection across the lifespan.
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Abel, S., Gilmour, J. (2022). Communication, Social Support, and Families. In: Machin, T., Brownlow, C., Abel, S., Gilmour, J. (eds) Social Media and Technology Across the Lifespan. Palgrave Studies in Cyberpsychology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99049-7_5
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