The Family GPS, the latest study from Nickelodeon conducted in partnership with Harris Interactive, looks at new cultural attitudes, technology and how the economic climate is changing American families. Read on for the highlights.

The study found a full 76% of parents of kids two to 21 years old say they feel extremely close to their children today, while only 25% of grandparents reported that they felt close to their children. But first-time grandparents – who are an average age of 48 – have a central role in day-to-day family life, with 61% of parents who have kids ages two to 17 noting that grandparents assist in raising their kids.

Parents and kids are also spending more time together in front of various media. For example, the report finds that 36% of families are playing games together regularly.

On the economic side of things, 49% of parents say it’s very important to raise daughters to be good with money, while 31% emphasize the same for their sons. With regards to the economy, 85% of kids ages 13 to 21 say the economic crisis has had an impact on them, and 51% of parents of kids ages eight to 21 years old are now talking to their kids more about the importance of saving money.

For more information, check out www.harrisinteractive.com.