Schneider, Benoît <br/><br/>
ICTs as an intergenerational link 

 -  2020.<br/>							 
<br/><br/> 77 
<br/><br/> This study aims to examine the characteristics of grandparent–grandchild relationships made possible by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). An online questionnaire survey gathered the views of 169 grandmothers and grandfathers. On the one hand, it asked them generically about their possession of ICTs, their ICT skills, and their family relationships. On the other hand, it asked about their relationship with one of their grandchildren according to the ICTs used and the relational functions performed, particularly in relation to the age of the grandchild chosen. The grandparents who responded to our survey are very well equipped with ICTs and have good ICT skills. They frequently use them for both personal and family use. They communicate with their grandchildren in ways that are adapted to the grandchild’s age and autonomy. These are more intense with the youngest grandchildren, and encourage a resumption of exchanges in later adolescence. While the choice of communication methods depends in part on the age of the grandchild, the relational functions performed seem to be more structured by the developmental stage of the grandchild than by the technical characteristics of ICTs. Our data also confirm that while ICTs can make it possible to maintain a link with grandchildren who live far away, they mainly enrich an otherwise existing relationship.