topic 5: the effects of global digital comms on relationships

Question 1

Miller

Answer 1

social networking sites 😌

Why We Post (ethnography in 9 countries)
digital comms used for:

1. creating new groups/communities (GirlsAskGuys) 🏠 🏠 🏠
2. maintain relationships over long distances (Facebook) 🌎
3. growing business links (ASOS #AsSeenOnMe instagram) 🖇
4. help women create independent lives away from patriarchal control (In Her Shoes — Women of the Eight) 💪 👩

Question 2

Boellstorff

Answer 2

— SOCIAL ACTORS: we can now construct and act out new multiple identities
— investigated role-playing games e.g. Second Life
— identities are highly adaptable, endless opportunity
— increased opportunity for new relationships ♥️

freedom of choice can be liberating, but anonymity can be DANGEROUS (virtual rape etc)

Question 3

Youthnet

Answer 3

online relationships very positive for digital natives
internet EMPOWERS 💪 youth and allows them to b creative 🎨

45% of sample said they felt happiest online
75% couldn’t live without internet

Question 4

critics of Boellstorff say…

Answer 4

his analysis isn’t in depth enough
fails to explain fully how game players differentiate between their two lives

Question 5

Zhao 2006

Answer 5

effect of internet on relationships depends on how you use it:

using interactive connective applications ➡️ strengthened relationships
surfing the net ➡️ less strong relationships

Question 6

Turkle

Answer 6

ALONE TOGETHER

Digital world + addiction to social media isolates us —> less satisfying communication —> breakdown of face-to-face relationships.

Parents = bad role models, using phones too much in front of children. Setting disconnectedness as the NORM! (post-familial family)

Goldilocks Effect: physically together, mentally alone. Relationships are in the inbetween.

Question 7

what are hikikomori youth?

Answer 7

Japan estimates 500,000 hikikomori youth who haven’t left their home for a year

carry out lives via digital tech (online shopping, work, social interaction, studying)

Question 8

Smith et al 2006

Answer 8

CYBERBULLYING.
Peer groups HIGHLY influential, both +tive and -tive

20% teens experienced CYBUL.
1/3 victims kept CYBUL. secret.
Girls more than boys.

Sample: questionnaire 100 teens in 14 schools, yr 7-10.

Megan Meier, Ryan Halligan, Rebbeca Sedwick all committed suicide bc of cyberbullying

Question 9

Mary Cross

Answer 9

— TRIBES: ppl narrow down media intake, less diverse view of the world. we become ENTRENCHED IN PREEXISTING BELIEFS

— FILTER BUBBLE 🫧: social networks lock users into personalised feedback loops, echo chamber effect keeps this in place

— bubbles are to blame for increasing divisions and polarisation between groups e.g. Brexiteers vs Remainers