FACEBOOK FAMILIES NOT AS HAPPY AS THOSE WHO PLAY TOGETHER

21st May 2015

WHILE mums, dads and kids now routinely choose social networks to speak to even their closest family members, new national research reveals it is the families who play together who are happiest.

In 2015 the rise of the Facebook Family means family gossip, appointments and even what's for dinner is as likely to be revealed on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks as it is in person, according to a study by Chill Factore - Britain's longest indoor real snow slope.

In fact, 32% of those polled admit they are as likely to reveal some new family news via social channels as they are to tell their family to their face.

And almost one in four (24%) families rely more on shared ‘family’ groups set up on mobile apps like WhatsApp for their latest family news as they do hearing it from their relatives in person.

The research, by Manchester-based Chill Factore, found that, despite their reliance on catching up with family gossip and news via social networks, 74% of Brits agree that families who socialise together are happier than those who live their family lives digitally.

Indeed, over half (53%) of British families claim that they attend regular family social events, go on family days out, enjoy meals together and take part as a family in activities. And furthermore, they claim spending this quality time with each other is a major contributory factor in them being ‘very happy’, by strengthening bonds and improving family harmony.

Interesting then, that among those who admit to being Facebook families, only 30% admitted they were ‘very happy’ with their family life.

Morwenna Angove, Chill Factore CEO, said: "Our research indicates that those families who play together are happiest. Clearly, social networks are a hugely important part of modern life but, according to those we’ve polled, while updating Facebook with some family news can be helpful for family members (particularly those who may live some distance away) there’s no substitute for family socialising.

"Our research shows that those families who take time to make sure they play together, eat together and spend time together feel happier, enjoy greater harmony and have stronger bonds than those who mostly communicate across social networks."