Family systems theory in the digital age: Reifying the digital level of analysis

Dillon T. Browne; Orsolya Király; Katerina Lukavska; Sheri Madigan; Zsolt Demetrovics

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-69362-5_57

Family systems theory in the digital age: Reifying the digital level of analysis

Dillon T. Browne, Orsolya Király, Katerina Lukavska, Sheri Madigan, Zsolt Demetrovics

College of Education, Psychology and Social Work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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Abstract

Researchers are increasingly asking questions about the complex ways in which digital media transects family life for the purpose of understanding health and development. Most research in this domain is informed by theoretical models that champion the primacy of individuals (i.e., the child). However, family systems theory (FST) has long emphasized that the family unit itself, versus the child, should be the focus of study, assessment, and intervention. This paradigm remains underutilized in research related to digital media and health. The present chapter provides a primer in FST for researchers and clinicians who are interested in media. Core concepts such as holism, organization, feedback, and resilience are reviewed. These principles are contrasted with individual-focused theoretical models. The digital level of analysis is outlined as a conceptual frame of reference and ecological layer of organization that can be applied in future digital media studies. Lastly, recommendations for research, practice, and policy are provided, with an emphasis on responsible digital innovation and application of new technologies.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Handbook of Children and Screens
Subtitle of host publication	Digital Media, Development, and Well-Being from Birth Through Adolescence
Editors	Dimitri A. Christakis, Lauren Hale
Place of Publication	Cham, Switzerland
Publisher	Springer Nature
Pages	419-425
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Electronic)	9783031693625
ISBN (Print)	9783031693618
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-69362-5_57
Publication status	Published - 2025

Keywords

Child
Digital
Family
Media
Technology
Theory

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10.1007/978-3-031-69362-5_57Licence: CC BY

Published versionFinal published version, 491 KBLicence: CC BY

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Browne, D. T., Király, O., Lukavska, K., Madigan, S., & Demetrovics, Z. (2025). Family systems theory in the digital age: Reifying the digital level of analysis. In D. A. Christakis, & L. Hale (Eds.), Handbook of Children and Screens: Digital Media, Development, and Well-Being from Birth Through Adolescence (pp. 419-425). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-69362-5_57

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Browne, DT, Király, O, Lukavska, K, Madigan, S & Demetrovics, Z 2025, Family systems theory in the digital age: Reifying the digital level of analysis. in DA Christakis & L Hale (eds), Handbook of Children and Screens: Digital Media, Development, and Well-Being from Birth Through Adolescence. Springer Nature, Cham, Switzerland, pp. 419-425. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-69362-5_57

Family systems theory in the digital age: Reifying the digital level of analysis. / Browne, Dillon T.; Király, Orsolya; Lukavska, Katerina et al.
Handbook of Children and Screens: Digital Media, Development, and Well-Being from Birth Through Adolescence. ed. / Dimitri A. Christakis; Lauren Hale. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature, 2025. p. 419-425.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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Browne DT, Király O, Lukavska K, Madigan S, Demetrovics Z. Family systems theory in the digital age: Reifying the digital level of analysis. In Christakis DA, Hale L, editors, Handbook of Children and Screens: Digital Media, Development, and Well-Being from Birth Through Adolescence. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. 2025. p. 419-425 doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-69362-5_57

Family systems theory in the digital age: Reifying the digital level of analysis

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