For parents who don’t have primary or physical custody of their children, spending time with the children might be difficult. The problem is sometimes made even more difficult if the child’s custodial parent doesn’t live near the non-custodial parent. In the past, the non-custodial parent might have had to deal with only getting periodic phone calls from their child. With the changes in technology that are occurring on a rapid basis, it is now easier for non-custodial parents to be an active part of their child’s life. Our readers in Colorado might like to know how virtual visitation works and how it can help the parent and child.
Virtual visitation is a method that parents can use to spend time with a child when actually being with the child in a physical manner isn’t possible. This can involve sending emails or having video chats with the child. Other forms of digital communication are also possible, such as texting or chatting via social media.
There are some very specific things that parents who are using virtual visitation must consider. First, the contact between the parent and child shouldn’t be censored. Think about normal visitation. When a child and non-custodial parent spend a day or a weekend together, they have free communication. This should be the same when virtual visitation is used.
Second, the parents should work together to ensure that the child is reasonably free to communicate with the non-custodial parent. This means the parent who has the child should encourage the visits and make it as easy as possible for the visits to take place.
While nothing will replace face-to-face meetings with your child, virtual visitations might allow you to participate in your child’s life more.
Source: FindLaw, “Virtual Visitation” Oct. 15, 2014
