Mobile device use affords the transfer of money or sending of gifts to address short-term and long-term financial needs (Fresnoza‐Flot 2009; Hondagneu-Sotelo and Avila 1997; Horst 2006; Madianou and Miller 2011, 2012; McKay 2007; Parreñas 2005b). This in turn, reinforces the ‘commodification of love’ (Parreñas 2001a). Moreover, overseas family members feel joyful when they see their children proudly display on social media the gifts received (Madianou and Miller 2012).Indeed, out-migration functions as a collective family strategy towards survival (Asis 1994; Huang et al. 2008), and mobile device use contributes to communicative benefits (Madianou and Miller 2012).