Kids these days tend to be well-versed in various kinds of technology, even from a very young age. Even screen-conscious parents are often surprised to discover that their toddlers know how to unlock devices in search of their favorite cartoons.
As a result of the tech-savvy nature of the youngest generations, it is very common to observe parents who are not in their children’s presence interacting with them via electronic means. Whether they’re calling, video chatting, playing games via a shared platform or sharing photos, parents and kids increasingly find creative ways to stay connected when they’re apart.
When this kind of long-distance communication occurs as part of a parenting plan, it is known as virtual visitation. If you’re a co-parent and your child is old enough to appreciate communication that occurs outside of face-to-face interactions, including virtual visitation provisions in your parenting plan could be a great idea for both of you (and potentially your child’s other parent as well).
Moving forward
Virtual visitation arrangements allow parents and children to remain active and invested in each other’s lives, no matter how far apart they are and no matter how often they are able to see one another. As a result, including virtual visitation terms in a new parenting plan – or adding them to an existing plan via modification – is an effort worthy of your consideration.
With that said, you are not the only adult who needs to weigh in on such an arrangement. If your co-parent is amenable to a virtual visitation arrangement – that could potentially benefit them as well – you can work with your attorney to formalize a mutually-agreeable approach. However, if your co-parent is not cooperative in re: virtual visitation, you may need to seek legal guidance to explore your options.