Reimagining Family Bonding in the Digital Age: A Study on Technology-Enhanced Reading Practices among Earthquake-Affected Families in Türkiye

As the fundamental unit of society, the family is undergoing a profound transformation due to digitalization, crises, natural disasters, and displacement. Disasters like earthquakes disrupt family structures and functions, necessitating the reconstruction of routines and relational dynamics. This study examines the impact of technology-enhanced reading practices on family life among those affected by the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. Grounded in a multidisciplinary framework that draws on family resilience theory, trauma-informed pedagogical approaches, and socio-cultural perspectives on digital literacy, the study involved 32 parent-child dyads. Over 12 weeks, parents engaged in home-based digital read-aloud sessions with their children. Semi-structured interviews followed. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: (1) Reading as a Tool for Regaining Routine and Normalcy, (2) Strengthening Family Bonds through Shared Reading, (3) Emotional and Psychological Dimensions, and (4) Affordances and Challenges of Technology. Findings demonstrate that digital reading practices offer significant benefits in post-disaster contexts by helping families reestablish routines, strengthen relationships, and support children’s learning. At the same time, the study highlights that technological limitations and the emotional impact of digital content on children require careful and sensitive adult mediation. By exploring the potential of digital reading practices to foster psychosocial resilience within family systems after a disaster, this study makes a unique contribution to the literature.