scholarly journals The Stranger Danger: Exploring Surveillance, Autonomy, and Privacy in Children’s Use of Social Media

2011 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Nolan ◽  
Kate Raynes-Goldie ◽  
Melanie McBride
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Individual Autonomy ◽  
Internet Safety ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Online Activities ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Parental Mentoring ◽  
Stranger Danger

In this paper, we argue that censorware is one of the bogeymen that instills fear in parents whose children have access to the Internet. It is a fear that has the potential to restrict children’s autonomy and opportunities for engagement in social media. Fear regarding children’s online activities is one of the issues surrounding children’s Internet safety that does not appear to be situated in any particular social or cultural context. Among the most popular means of monitoring children online, censorware may prove even more harmful to children’s socioemotional wellbeing and development than any other form of monitoring (Boyd & Jenkins, 2006; Cloke & Jones, 2005; Helwig, 2006; Kamii, 1991; Laufer & Wolfe, 1977; Marx & Steeves, 2010; Pettit & Laird, 2002; Rooney, 2010). Inherent in the design and use of censorware are structures that inhibit children’s online and offline social interactions, their ability to develop fully as social actors, and their experience of being empowered to make informed and critical decisions about their lives, including choices relating to privacy. As well, reliance on surveillance-based approach-es to monitoring online activities of chil-dren (aged 5-14) may actually be leading to a greater danger: a decrease in oppor-tunities for children to have experiences that help them develop autonomy and independence. Our inquiry is located within a growing body of research that addresses the social implications of restricting, surveilling and controlling young children’s online activities versus nurturing individual autonomy through parental mentoring and critically reflec-tive software and social technology use.

Cyberbullying, Sexting, and Online Sharing

2019 ◽  
pp. 70-81
Author(s):  
Thanh Trúc T. Nguyên ◽  
Lauren K. Mark
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Computer Usage ◽  
Internet Safety ◽  
Us States ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Online Social Media ◽  
Explicit Material ◽  
Online Activities

Schools are pushing to implement more technology use to promote student learning. Yet, adults may not be completely aware of the non-academic online activities students engage in, like cyberbullying, sexting, and online sharing. In this study, parents (N = 663) and educators (N = 548) from four US states were surveyed on their understanding and awareness of their children's/students' online activities. Adult awareness levels and perspectives were compared. Parents and educators were found to be similarly supportive of computer use adding value to student education, but significantly differed in their trust levels of students' computer usage, preparedness to talk to students about Internet safety issues, and comfort regarding students using online social media. Additionally, parents and educators differed significantly in their understanding of how sharing of explicit material occurs online.

Cyberbullying, Sexting, and Online Sharing

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh Trúc T. Nguyên ◽  
Lauren K. Mark
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Computer Usage ◽  
Internet Safety ◽  
Us States ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Online Social Media ◽  
Explicit Material ◽  
Online Activities

Schools are pushing to implement more technology use to promote student learning. Yet, adults may not be completely aware of the non-academic online activities students engage in, like cyberbullying, sexting, and online sharing. In this study, parents (N = 663) and educators (N = 548) from four US states were surveyed on their understanding and awareness of their children's/students' online activities. Adult awareness levels and perspectives were compared. Parents and educators were found to be similarly supportive of computer use adding value to student education, but significantly differed in their trust levels of students' computer usage, preparedness to talk to students about Internet safety issues, and comfort regarding students using online social media. Additionally, parents and educators differed significantly in their understanding of how sharing of explicit material occurs online.

Social media, diversity and vulnerability: their role in a disaster

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Nardini ◽  
Sara Bonati ◽  
Stefano Morelli ◽  
Veronica Pazzi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Management Process ◽  
Technological Support ◽  
Media Diversity ◽  
Disaster Studies ◽  
Relevant Point ◽  
Use Of Social Media

<p>Very few research studies have been dedicated to understanding the role of social media, diversity and vulnerability during a highly impacting event for a society. Social media are very important nowadays as a way to be in "connection to" and "link between" individuals. Thanks to technological support it is possible to create new virtual and real social relationships and networks and to be always up to date about what happen in the world. The role that virtual space plays "reducing distances", connecting people and places and facilitating the provision of support to people in need, has been receiving increasing interest in disaster studies in last years. In particular, connectivity has assumed an increasing role in relation to the diffusion of means to reach people and places in virtual mode. Furthermore, the use of social media as a means of providing information on disasters and risks could help to reduce exposure in disasters. However, several knowledge gaps are still opened, and in particular which are the potential repercussions of a high connected disaster management process on vulnerability? How can the weight of diversity change into the virtual space? The premise is that not everyone has the same possibility of accessing social media (e.g. to be informed, to know what is happening and to link with rescuers). The difficulty of accessing social media can make people invisible into the disaster management process with the risk that someone could be left behind. Thus, this presentation aims to discuss the challenges that derive from an increasing use of social platform in providing and receiving information during disasters. A second relevant point, that this presentation aims to discuss, is linked to the way citizens perceive communication platforms and how the flow of information significantly impacts on the interpretation and on the management of risk. Conclusions of this work suggest that communication should take into account the risk perception models by the public and therefore the peculiarities of each vulnerable group, to provide "targeted" communications in relation to the cultural context with the aim of reducing vulnerability growing up citizens’ awareness and knowledge. This presentation is the result of the work provided as part of the EU H2020 founded project LINKS (http://links-project.eu).<span> </span></p>

How journalists use social media in France and the United States: Analyzing technology use across journalistic fields

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 2728-2744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Powers ◽  
Sandra Vera-Zambrano
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
The United States ◽  
News Organizations ◽  
American Journalism ◽  
Routine Tasks ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Depth Interviews

This article examines journalists’ use of social media in France and the United States. Through in-depth interviews, we show that shared practical sensibilities lead journalists in both countries to use social media to accomplish routine tasks (e.g. gather information, monitor sources, and develop story ideas). At the same time, we argue that the incorporation of social media into daily practice also creates opportunities for journalists to garner peer recognition and that these opportunities vary according to the distinctive national fields in which journalists are embedded. Where American journalism incentivizes individual journalists to orient social media use toward audiences, French journalism motivates news organizations to use social media for these purposes, while leaving individual journalists to focus primarily on engaging with their peers. We position these findings in relation to debates on the uses of technologies across national settings.

scholarly journals Technology preferences among caregivers of children with hydrocephalus

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P. Naftel ◽  
Nicole A. Safiano ◽  
Michael I. Falola ◽  
Chevis N. Shannon ◽  
John C. Wellons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Media Use ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Internet And Social Media

Object The Internet and social media are powerful disseminators of medical information, providing new portals for patient care. The authors of this study evaluated current technology hardware, Internet, and social media use and their socioeconomic relationships among caregivers of children with hydrocephalus. Methods A written survey was completed in the neurosurgical clinics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham by 300 parents of children with shunted hydrocephalus between October 26, 2010, and July 26, 2011. Results Computer use (94.6%), Internet use (91.7%), smartphone use (56.9%), and Internet research on hydrocephalus (81.9%) were prevalent. However, for each of these four utilizations there was significantly lower access by caregivers of minority races (p = 0.04, 0.03, 0.002, and < 0.0001, respectively), lower income (p = 0.02, 0.01, < 0.0001, and < 0.0001, respectively), and lower level of education (p = 0.001, 0.002, < 0.0001, and 0.001, respectively). Personal use of social media was prevalent (95.1% of all Internet users) with use being more prevalent among less-educated than higher-educated caregivers (p = 0.017). Hydrocephalus-related social media use (59.5% of Internet users) was not associated with socioeconomic factors. For hydrocephalus education on the Internet, caregivers chose information websites such as Wikipedia or the Hydrocephalus Association as preferred platforms; these preferences were followed by use of social media websites. Facebook and YouTube were the preferred social media platforms for personal and hydrocephalus-related use. Parents indicate moderate skepticism about the trustworthiness of the Internet; only 21.7% always trust the online sources. Most parents (89.8%) say that they would visit neurosurgeon-recommended websites. Of Internet-using caregivers, 28.6% use the Internet or social media to find hydrocephalus support groups, and 34.8% have used the Internet to communicate with other caregivers who have children with similar conditions. Conclusions Technology hardware, the Internet, and social media are widely used with some skepticism by parents of children with shunted hydrocephalus. Caregivers are interested in physician-recommended Internet resources. Socioeconomic factors including race, income, and level of education reveal a disparity in access to some of these resources, although all groups have relatively high use. Unlike typical technology use, social media use is breaking down the digital divide among ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Technology Use and Problem Technology Use and Potential Psychosocial Mechanisms: Population-Based Telephone Survey in Community Adults During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Yang ◽  
Benjamin H. K. Yip ◽  
Eric K. P. Lee ◽  
Dexing Zhang ◽  
Samuel Y. S. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Social Media Addiction ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Internet Games ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Background: Although digital technology enables people to stay connected during COVID-19, protracted periods of isolation, crisis-induced stress, and technology-based activity may intensify problem technology use (PTU), such as social media addiction (SMA) and Internet gaming disorder (IGD).Objective: This study aimed to characterize the patterns and levels of SMA and IGD during COVID-19 in the general population of Hong Kong. We also tested the associations between prolonged use of social media/Internet games and SMA/IGD and the mediation effects of psychosocial statuses (i.e., loneliness, boredom, and post-traumatic stress) on these associations.Methods: A population-based random telephone survey was conducted in community adults in May 2020; 658 social media users and 177 Internet gamers were identified. A structured questionnaire, including the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder IGD Symptoms Checklist, the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale, Multidimensional State Boredom Scale, and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, was used. Time spent on social media and Internet games during and before COVID-19 was also asked.Results: There were 66.2–81.8% increases in time use of social media or Internet games during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 self-reported information of the participants. The estimated IGD prevalence rate in the gamers based on the sample weighted to the age distribution and gender ratio of the Hong Kong population was 9.7%, higher than that of pre-COVID-19 research. Age, marital status, education levels, time use of social media, COVID-19-related post-traumatic stress, boredom, and emotional loneliness were significantly associated with SMA, while time spent on Internet games, boredom, and emotional loneliness was significantly associated with IGD. Boredom positively mediated the associations between time spent on social media/Internet games and SMA/IGD, whereas social loneliness negatively mediated the association between time spent on social media and SMA.Conclusion: These findings highlight the concern of prolonged use of digital platforms during COVID-19 and its role as a “double-edged sword” for psychosocial wellbeing and behavioral health during COVID-19. It also highlights a need to monitor and prevent PTU in the general public. The observed psychosocial mechanisms are modifiable and can inform the design of evidence-based prevention programs for PTU.

scholarly journals The Usage of Social Media As A Trial of Political Attitudes in Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oktavianus Klau Lekik
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Political Attitudes ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Technology Literacy ◽  
Political Leaders ◽  
Cultural Symbols ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Nowdays, social media has the potential to become a wave of information and opinion. Mass mobilization is now easier with social media, and of course the cost is very affordable and free. In addition, exposure to social media is very fast taking reactions from the public. If it is not done well, the legitimacy and reputation of a political figure can decline rapidly. Social media is able to provide the public with information both about politics and the capacity and credibility of the attitudes of political leaders, with the breadth of networks owned by social media, people can learn about politics from social media. In fact, social media facilitates the public to know the statements of the attitudes of political leaders regarding a particular discussion and can make the community become political literate. Thus, in general, social media is a trend that can be useful as a media for political campaigning, expressing cheap and effective political attitudes and political learning. This study, the authors focus on analyzing the Use of Social Media as a Form of Political Attitude in Indonesia, with the aim to be achieved by the author to find out, Firstly, this study is to understand the cultural context of political actors in using social media as a form of political attitudes to influence the final community recently on social media. Secondly, the desire to describe the ways political actors use social media to express their political attitudes and express themselves through social media to influence everyday people's behavior. Thirdly, in the form of political attitudes using cultural symbols both based on religion, ethnicity, streams or certain groups that have interests expressed by various political actors and other groups to provoke the public through social media. Using the review literature method is descriptive analytical. Analytical descriptive research can be used to analyze data and facts that occur about the use of social media as a form of political attitudes. The results and conclusions of this study that, the use of social media to express political attitudes by political leaders, both in speeches, influencing and provoking the public are very easily spread through social media. This must be responded to well by social media users to use reasoning to think positively in expressing their political attitudes through social media, by using an understanding of media literacy, information literacy and technology literacy which is basically a source of truth.

scholarly journals An Unfair Game of Virtual Hide-and-Go-Seek: The Passive Collection of Children's Information Online

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 326-349
Author(s):  
Andrea Korajlija
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Online Privacy ◽  
Digital Identity ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Online Activities

In this paper, I examine the regulatory deficiencies surrounding children’s online privacy. Specifically, I assess how the passive collection of children’s information through their parents is permitted under the current legislation. I examine two online activities of parents that jeopardize their children’s privacy: (1) “sharenting” on social media platforms; and (2) the use of pregnancy and parenting mobile applications. I outline the consequences children face because of this unconsented passive collection of their information enabled by their parents’ technology use. Lastly, I call for more stringent regulation. We need legislation that explicitly differentiates children’s privacy interests and offers specific safeguards for them to preserve their digital identity and overall safety.

Digital literacy and digital content supports learning

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 522-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene L. Al-Qallaf ◽  
Afaf S.R. Al-Mutairi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
School Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of blogs on teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) to primary students. The study also explores educators’ perceptions of social media tools and digital literacy in school environments. Design/methodology/approach A three-step approach was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. First, the blogs of 23 fifth-grade students in an EFL class in Kuwait was analysed for one semester along with student perceptions and teacher observations. Second, a survey was distributed to the students at the end of the semester, and finally, four focus groups were conducted regarding educators’ perceptions on the use of social media, their skills and needs and problems encountered. Findings The findings showed that by the end of the semester, students were writing lengthy sentences, had fewer spelling and grammatical mistakes, were more motivated and independent and displayed a more positive attitude towards learning EFL. In addition, educators are enthusiastic about using Web technologies in their teaching practices but have several concerns such as digital literacy competencies, technology-use behaviour and lack of accessibility to digital content. Research limitations/implications The number of questions on the student survey could be reduced. Also, it would be preferable in future studies to require all students to blog at least twice a week which could provide a broader representation of their writing abilities. Originality/value Little research has been reported in the literature on the use of blogs in teaching EFL to primary school students. Most literature focuses on teaching EFL to university students. By using a mixed-methodology approach, this study also highlights the needs of educators and students in technology learning environments and makes a good contribution towards offering pragmatic solutions.

scholarly journals Gender Identity and Facebook: Social Conservatism and Saving Face

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nastaran Khoshsabk ◽  
Jane Southcott
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Mental Image ◽  
Self Presentation ◽  
Cultural Conservatism ◽  
Significant Life ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Iranian Context

People increasingly log on to Social Networking Websites to remain updated with the latest News and to share their thoughts and their significant life events. Their perception of their own and others’ identities influences their self-presentation on social media. There is a mental image of the audience on the mind of online users when they share content. The extent to which individuals reveal or conceal aspects of their identities within a socio-cultural context affects the presentation of their digital gender identity. We have explored Internet accessibility and use of social media relating to adult users for both Iranians living in the country that are experiencing filtered social media and those living outside of the country. The identified influential elements through conducting this in-depth research was an attempt to address the gap in online identity formation in the Iranian context. This qualitative case study examined online interviews (N=9) and follow-up Facebook observations (N=10) from ten Iranian male and female Facebook users. A relationship was found between the specific identity-presentation and the individuals’ gender and their level of conservatism. Regardless of the socio-cultural conservatism, individuals make themselves known via the manipulated digital images and Facebook avatars.

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