Understanding Emotional Closeness in Distanced Intergenerational Relationships Between Young Children and Older Relatives: A Scoping Review for HCI

Emotional closeness (EC) is central to family relationships, however in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) it is often regarded as self-evident, invoked through adjacent constructs such as connection or co-presence. This ambiguity is particularly limiting for remote relationships between young children (aged 4-8 years) and their older relatives, where developmental asymmetries and generational roles shape how EC unfolds. To clarify how EC is understood in this specific intergenerational context, we conducted a scoping review of 30 papers (2010 - 2025) examining how EC is defined, evaluated, and technologically mediated. Our analysis reveals three key patterns: reliance on self-report evaluations, a persistent interaction-closeness assumption, and under-exploration of embodied and cultural framings. We synthesise a multidimensional definition of EC comprising Affective Expression, Relational Practices, Embodied Presence, and Cultural Belonging. We conclude with implications for HCI, including the need for multimodal and longitudinal methods and technologies that support multi-dimensional, culturally grounded, and meaningful intergenerational connection.