The Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Family Life: The State of Qatar as a Case Study

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology )ICT( includes hardware )such as com- puters, smartphones, and game consoles( and software )such as e-mail, video con- ferencing, and online social networking( that have gradually become a part of our daily lives and have produced a new culture that can be called ”digital culture“. The advancement of ICT and its integration into daily life in recent years has created new forms of interaction and has reshaped family dynamics and social relations in general. Although the impact of rapid technological progress and its significant immersion in daily life experiences have become a strong target for research, the role and impact of this progress on family dynamics is still at an early stage of research. In this paper, we will address the relationship between ICT and the family, with a special focus on the Qatari context. The research will explore the positive and negative effects of this technology on the family and will conclude with practical recommendations on this is- sue to the State of Qatar. This is done through an extensive study of various references that dealt with this topic at the global level. We will also present the results of a ques- tionnaire about the manifestations of this relationship in Qatar and about the extent of people’s awareness of this relationship. Finally, this research shows that ICT has both positive and negative effects on the family. However, further research is needed to shed light on the complex relationship between ICT and the family, especially as the former is developing rapidly and permanently.