Digital and Social Media Communities Practice Test

The text presents LINE as a popular Japanese social media and messaging service and describes how the Ishikawa family used a 家族グループ (family group) to share small daily moments, like a child’s test result or a parent’s commute delay. The author explains that using stickers for encouragement aligned with 和 (wa, harmony) by keeping feedback supportive rather than overly direct. The passage concludes that such practices can reinforce community ties within the household, but warns that too much screen time may reduce meaningful conversation. Based on the text, How does LINE influence family communication in Japan?

Read the following passage: In Japan, LINE is a widely used social media and messaging platform that combines group chats, voice calls, and “stamps” (large emoji-like stickers). The Tanaka family relied on LINE because their schedules rarely matched: the mother worked late shifts, the father commuted, and the two children attended club activities. Each evening, they posted short updates in a family group chat, and they used stamps to soften requests or show encouragement without lengthy text. This habit reflected cultural norms that value reading the atmosphere (空気を読む), so indirect phrasing and polite tone helped maintain harmony even online. The grandparents joined later, and the family adjusted by writing clearer messages and avoiding slang, which had previously caused minor confusion. Over time, LINE strengthened family coordination and made small expressions of care more frequent. However, constant notifications sometimes felt intrusive, and quick reactions occasionally replaced deeper conversations at home. Based on the text, How does LINE influence family communication in Japan?