Reimagining Family Bonding in the Digital Age: A Study on Technology-Enhanced Reading Practices among Earthquake-Affected Families in Türkiye

Vahide Yiğit Gençten; Rabia Özen Uyar

Article Details

Reimagining Family Bonding in the Digital Age: A Study on Technology-Enhanced Reading Practices among Earthquake-Affected Families in Türkiye

Authors:

Vahide Yiğit Gençten | Rabia Özen Uyar

Publisher:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics:

Aile ve İlişkiler Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue Aile Özel Sayısı, pp.64-78

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

10/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348056

pISSN:

1302-1265

Keywords:

Abstract:

 As the fundamental unit of society, the family is undergoing a profound transformation due to digitalization, crises, natural disasters, and displacement. Disasters like earthquakes disrupt family structures and functions, necessitating the reconstruction of routines and relational dynamics. This study examines the impact of technology-enhanced reading practices on family life among those affected by the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. Grounded in a multidisciplinary framework that draws on family resilience theory, trauma-informed pedagogical approaches, and socio-cultural perspectives on digital literacy, the study involved 32 parent-child dyads. Over 12 weeks, parents engaged in home-based digital read-aloud sessions with their children. Semi-structured interviews followed. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: 1 Reading as a Tool for Regaining Routine and Normalcy, 2 Strengthening Family Bonds through Shared Reading, 3 Emotional and Psychological Dimensions, and 4 Affordances and Challenges of Technology. Findings demonstrate that digital reading practices offer significant benefits in post-disaster contexts by helping families reestablish routines, strengthen relationships, and support childrens learning. At the same time, the study highlights that technological limitations and the emotional impact of digital content on children require careful and sensitive adult mediation. By exploring the potential of digital reading practices to foster psychosocial resilience within family systems after a disaster, this study makes a unique contribution to the literature.

 As the fundamental unit of society, the family is undergoing a profound transformation due to digitalization, crises, natural disasters, and displacement. Disasters like earthquakes disrupt family structures and functions, necessitating the reconstruction of routines and relational dynamics. This study examines the impact of technology-enhanced reading practices on family life among those affected by the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. Grounded in a multidisciplinary framework that draws on family resilience theory, trauma-informed pedagogical approaches, and socio-cultural perspectives on digital literacy, the study involved 32 parent-child dyads. Over 12 weeks, parents engaged in home-based digital read-aloud sessions with their children. Semi-structured interviews followed. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: 1 Reading as a Tool for Regaining Routine and Normalcy, 2 Strengthening Family Bonds through Shared Reading, 3 Emotional and Psychological Dimensions, and 4 Affordances and Challenges of Technology. Findings demonstrate that digital reading practices offer significant benefits in post-disaster contexts by helping families reestablish routines, strengthen relationships, and support childrens learning. At the same time, the study highlights that technological limitations and the emotional impact of digital content on children require careful and sensitive adult mediation. By exploring the potential of digital reading practices to foster psychosocial resilience within family systems after a disaster, this study makes a unique contribution to the literature.

 As the fundamental unit of society, the family is undergoing a profound transformation due to digitalization, crises, natural disasters, and displacement. Disasters like earthquakes disrupt family structures and functions, necessitating the reconstruction of routines and relational dynamics. This study examines the impact of technology-enhanced reading practices on family life among those affected by the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. Grounded in a multidisciplinary framework that draws on family resilience theory, trauma-informed pedagogical approaches, and socio-cultural perspectives on digital literacy, the study involved 32 parent-child dyads. Over 12 weeks, parents engaged in home-based digital read-aloud sessions with their children. Semi-structured interviews followed. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: 1 Reading as a Tool for Regaining Routine and Normalcy, 2 Strengthening Family Bonds through Shared Reading, 3 Emotional and Psychological Dimensions, and 4 Affordances and Challenges of Technology. Findings demonstrate that digital reading practices offer significant benefits in post-disaster contexts by helping families reestablish routines, strengthen relationships, and support childrens learning. At the same time, the study highlights that technological limitations and the emotional impact of digital content on children require careful and sensitive adult mediation. By exploring the potential of digital reading practices to foster psychosocial resilience within family systems after a disaster, this study makes a unique contribution to the literature.

 Toplumun temel yapı taşı olan aile, dijitalleşme, krizler, doğal afetler ve yerinden edilme gibi dinamikler karşısında derin bir dönüşüm sürecinden geçmektedir. Deprem gibi doğal afetler, aile yapısını ve işlevlerini köklü biçimde etkileyerek gündelik yaşamın ve ilişkisel dinamiklerin yeniden inşasını zorunlu kılmaktadır. Bu araştırma, 6 Şubat 2023 tarihli Kahramanmaraş depremlerinden etkilenen ailelerin teknoloji destekli kitap okuma uygulamalarına katılımının aile yaşamı üzerindeki etkilerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Aile dayanıklılığı kuramı, travma bilgili pedagojik yaklaşımlar ve dijital okuryazarlığa ilişkin sosyo-kültürel bir çerçeveye dayanan bu çalışmaya, 32 ebeveyn-çocuk ikilisi katılmıştır. Katılımcı ebeveynler, 12 hafta boyunca çocuklarıyla birlikte ev ortamında dijital kitap okuma etkinlikleri gerçekleştirmiştir. Sürecin sonunda ebeveynlerle yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler; 1 Rutin ve Normalliği Yeniden Kazanma Aracı Olarak Okuma, 2 Sesli Okuma Yoluyla Aile Bağlarını Güçlendirme, 3 Duygusal ve Psikolojik Boyutlar ile 4 Teknolojinin Sağladığı İmkanlar ve Sınırlılıklar olmak üzere dört ana tema etrafında toplanmıştır. Bulgular, dijital okuma uygulamalarının kriz dönemlerinde ailelere rutin ve normalliği yeniden sağlama, ilişkileri güçlendirme ve öğrenme süreçlerini destekleme açısından önemli katkılar sunduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Ancak aynı zamanda, teknolojik sınırlılıklar ile dijital içeriklerin çocuklar üzerindeki duygusal etkileri dikkatli ve duyarlı bir yetişkin yönlendirmesini gerekli kılmaktadır. Bu çalışma, dijital okuma uygulamalarının afet sonrası aile sistemlerinde psiko-sosyal dayanıklılığı destekleme potansiyelini ortaya koyarak alanyazına özgün bir katkı sunmaktadır.

Article Details

Reimagining Family Bonding in the Digital Age: A Study on Technology-Enhanced Reading Practices among Earthquake-Affected Families in Türkiye

Authors:

Vahide Yiğit Gençten | Rabia Özen Uyar

Publisher:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics:

Aile ve İlişkiler Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue Aile Özel Sayısı, pp.64-78

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

10/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348056

pISSN:

1302-1265

Transformation of the family

family in the digital age

technology

digital reading

preschoolAilenin dönüşümü

dijital çağda aile

teknoloji

dijital okuma

okul öncesi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Vahide Yiğit Gençten | Rabia Özen Uyar

Publisher: Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics: Aile ve İlişkiler Sosyolojisi

Journal: Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue Aile Özel Sayısı, pp.64-78

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 10/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001348056

pISSN: 1302-1265

Issues

Authors:

Vahide Yiğit Gençten | Rabia Özen Uyar

Publisher:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics:

Aile ve İlişkiler Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue Aile Özel Sayısı, pp.64-78

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

10/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348056

pISSN:

1302-1265