Virtual visitation refers to a method of maintaining contact between children and their parents. This kind of communication is often used by parents who serve in the military, parents who travel frequently for work and parents who are incarcerated. However, it is a method of communication most frequently utilized by co-parents and those who utilize a parallel parenting approach.
Parents who are no longer together generally divide time with their kids. When a child is at one parent’s house, the other parent may maintain their bond with the child more effectively by engaging in virtual visitation.
How does it work?
The use of electronic communication technologies is common in virtual visitation arrangements, although postal mail and other long-distance communication methods not rooted in electronics are useful as well. Virtual visitation can encompass a wide range of digital communication forms, including video calls, instant messaging, emails and social media interactions.
The primary aim of virtual visitation is to supplement traditional in-person parenting time — not to replace it. Through virtual visitation, parents can participate in everyday activities of their child’s life, such as bedtime stories, homework help or simply chatting about their day, thereby strengthening their bond despite physical separation.
Courts are increasingly recognizing the value of virtual visitation in supporting the child-parent relationship. In some jurisdictions, judges may include provisions for virtual visitation in custody agreements This legal trend acknowledges that this form of communication is often used to enhance the well-being of children, promoting regular and meaningful contact with both parents.
As a result of the good that this approach can inspire, if you co-parent with your ex, seeking legal guidance to learn more about how to set up enforceable, workable virtual visitation terms within your parenting plan could be to your benefit.