coviewing

Coviewing is the practice of watching the same screen-based content at the same time by two or more people, typically in the same physical space. It encompasses family viewing, peer gatherings, classroom screenings, and, with digital platforms, synchronized streams or watch parties that enable simultaneous viewing across distances. The core idea is a shared viewing experience that can shape interpretation and memory of the content.

Contexts and modalities: In households, coviewing commonly involves parents and children or partners, often accompanied by discussion before, during, or after the program. Streaming services offer features such as watch parties that coordinate timing and allow chat or reactions. In educational settings, coviewing can support collaborative discussion and media literacy tasks. Remote coviewing networks extend these possibilities beyond the living room.

Impact: Coviewing can promote social bonding, vocabulary development, and the collective construction of meaning, particularly when adults model interpretation and engage in dialogue about themes, values, and risks depicted in the media. However, it can also generate conflict, reduce individual autonomy, or dull attention if the viewing is unidirectional or if listeners are not engaged. Outcomes vary by content, age, and the quality of mediation.

Best practices: Active mediation—explaining scenes, asking questions, and connecting material to real life—tends to increase positive effects. Choosing age-appropriate content and establishing viewing norms can reduce friction. For remote coviewing, explicit pauses, shared note-taking, and scheduled discussion times help maintain interaction.

See also: co-viewing, media literacy, screen time guidelines.