Biography

Professor Anthony Kong is an Assistant Professor at School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, specializing in Entertainment Media and Design Engineering. With extensive expertise in the interdisciplinary fields of design, technology, and service, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. Currently, he is Fellow of Royal Society of Arts, Chairman of the Design Education Council of Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA) and serves as Secretary of the Executive Committee of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Hong Kong Section, Computer Society Chapter. His research interests encompass Design for Hospitality, Digital Entertainment, e-Learning, Sports Technology, and Cultural Art Technology.

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital technologies has transformed familial communication, creating a digital divide across generations. It examines shifting communication behaviors among the elderly, young adults, and children, focusing on screen time and technology adoption. While younger generations seamlessly immerse digital platforms preferring instant messaging, emojis, and video calls, older adults often struggle with technological literacy, relying on traditional verbal communication. Children, growing up as digital natives, develop communication patterns heavily influenced by social media, gaming, and screen-based content, altering their use of nonverbal cues. Screen time studies reveal stark disparities: youth spend excessive hours on screen, potentially reducing face-to-face interactions, whereas older adults exhibit lower but increasing engagement. The reliance on digital communication impacts familial bonds, with concerns over emotional depth and misunderstandings due to the absence of physical cues. Societally, this divide exacerbates generational gaps, influencing education, workforce dynamics, and social cohesion. Addressing these disparities requires promoting digital literacy among the elderly and fostering balanced, mindful technology use across all ages to sustain meaningful familial connections in the digital era.