Family Cohesion Using Snapchat: a Qualitative Study of College Students’ Experiences

This study was designed to explore how daily interactions with family members through Snapchat support family cohesion for college students. We analyze interview data from a subsample of 12 college students who reported using Snapchat to communicate with family. Students described how and why they used Snapchat to communicate with family. Participants reported Snapchatting with a range of family members including siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and parents; nine participants named Snapchat as the most frequent method of family communication. Content analysis revealed three themes about how students use Snapchat to support family cohesion: overcoming geographic distances, creating opportunities for connection, and maintaining family identity. Findings suggest that previously understood family communication patterns via social media (who students are communicating with and how) are changing as new apps emerge and older generations adopt them.