Digital Cultures

Question 1

Societal Views

Answer 1

• Children are so immersed in the digital world that they cannot concentrate outside it
• They neglect family life and real life interactions- becoming antisocial
• No longer establish their own values or sustain a sense of private life
• Increased time spent sedentary- spend less time outside being active (linked to obesity and other health consequences)
• Risk & harm- associated with aggression, addiction (Gee), bullying, grooming, inappropriate behaviour, hacking etc - watching more than 3 hours of TV a day means children are more likely to exhibit poor social behaviour and aggression (Tremblay et al)

Question 2

Sefton-Green & Livingstone

Answer 2

Crystallised in adult dismay… leading them to restrict opportunities which otherwise could be fruitful for young people

Question 3

Digital Natives VS. Immigrants

Answer 3

Digital natives can naturally work technology and use to in a beneficial way (uses & gratifications), whereas digital immigrants do not use technology in the same way and therefore cannot seem the same benefits. They dictate views on technology based off their bias experience

Question 4

Uses & Gratifications (Bulmer & Katz, 1974)

Answer 4

• Diversion: way to escape real life
• Socialisation: to be instantly connected to people regardless of time or space
• Surveillance: to gain information, to educate…
• Personal Identity: Identity is not fixed but a social process (Jenkins). Digital media provides symbolic resources for young people to construct and express their identities from (can be linked to Erikson). Opportunities for subversion and parody (Buckingham). Allows for a more diverse, fragmented and fluid identity (Bauman). Issues of cyber identity vs. real life identity (Cultivation theory, Gurbner; overtime, exposure to media will alter an audiences perception of reality).

Question 5

Participatory Cultures

Answer 5

Emerging cultures that support production and distribution- active prosumers, open-source media, user generated content etc.

Members do not have to contribute but they belive that when they don their contribution will matter and they will feel some degree of social connection

Not everyone has the same opportunity to do so (censorship, accessibility)- dependant on social class, ethnic background, gender…

(Jenkins, 2006)

Question 6

Benefits of new media on learning

Answer 6

For those with disabilities new media has provided unique aid and opportunities for communication, identity, information, choice and routine (Alper).