On 12 November 2025, the Youth Research Institute organised a conference entitled “Family Images in Social Media.” The event examined the changing perceptions of the traditional family, the role of public figures in shaping family narratives, and effective tools for online communication about family life. The program included presentations of both domestic and international best practices.
Among the invited speakers was Karina Muñoz Roa kutató (Universitat de Catalunya), who analysed the impact of consumer culture and social media on perceptions of marriage, as well as economist and educator András Székely, senior researcher at Mária Kopp Institute for Demography and Families. The discussion was moderated Dorina Csenge Márton of MCC. The event aimed to provide guidance for responsible, credible, and accessible public communication about family issues, both in Hungary and in an international context.
During the discussion, András Székely emphasised that social media has become a defining influence on families, even as the perceived social significance of the family continues to decline. Concerning traditional and non-traditional family structures, he highlighted that mental well-being tends to be higher in traditional families, particularly in households with young children. At the same time, the values of younger generations appear contradictory: In many respects they follow more traditional patterns, yet they are less tolerant of those they perceive as not sufficiently liberal. Alongside declining levels of trust in relationships, there is a growing prevalence of marriage-like cohabitation without formal commitment, reflecting a shift away from institutionalised forms of partnership. András Székely also noted that institutions such as the Hungarian Mária Kopp Institute for Demography and Families face increasing difficulty competing with the content production appeal of influencers for young people’s attention.
Karina Muñoz Roa drew attention to the diversity of family forms, observing that while non-traditional families remain a minority, coverage by the media tends to amplify their presence, making them appear disproportionately prominent to the average media consumer. She described social media as a “marketplace” where every participant is engaged in “selling” something—be it knowledge, information, products, or lifestyles—therefore users must adopt a more conscious and critical approach to the content they consume. Regarding the influence of social media on relationship decisions, she highlighted the growing pressure toward cohabitation: When a relationship is not strong enough for marriage, living together often appears as a compromise, whereas marriage requires a higher level of commitment. In parallel, relationship stability in general appears to be weakening. She also identified the excessive sharing of family and child photographs as a critical issue, as such content often conveys an idealised image that obscures the realities of everyday life. The experts agreed that the key to responsible, authentic, and engaging communication about family lies in a conscious content strategy—one that captures the attention of younger audiences while presenting a nuanced and realistic portrayal of family life.
