"In a reality that combines the virtual with the physical and in a context of information saturation, there are consumers who are more critical, demanding, and less loyal. In this context, it is timely to know the new habits of the Centennials, so as to understand their behaviors and consumption tre
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nds, aligning future communication strategies to their personality and interests. The Centennials or Generation Z are digital natives, concerned with technology, and complex to understand (Alonso-López; Terol-Bolinches, 2020). Generation Z –analyzed in this study– is composed of those born between 2000 and 2008, which corresponds to the youth currently between 14 and 22 years old (Vilanova; Ortega, 2017; Hernández; Andrade-del-Cid, 2020). The main objective of this research is to determine the patterns of consumption and online behavior exhibited by this generation in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Panama, with a focus on the characteristics of communication processes, online consumption patterns, and the cultural traits they possess. To achieve this, a mixed method is proposed consisting of a Twitter conversation analysis, survey application (n=550), in-depth interviews (n=36), and focus groups (n=2); all of which have been applied in the four selected countries. The main conclusions are that the preferred content of Centennials is humor (75%), with Instagram and TikTok being the most used networks. For they, the most important thing is to take care of their image and 40% are not interested in technological topics. Furthermore, cultural characteristics are shared among countries; however, language is the main difference between countries." (Abstract)
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"The study's primary objectives were to assess the state of data on access to digital devices and connectivity in schools in Thailand, which are crucial enablers for e-learning initiatives, and to map the state of access to and use of these devices and connectivity so as to identify potential gaps.
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As digital connectivity becomes paramount to the education sector, it is vital for the Government (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Digital Economy and Science, NBTC) to connect unconnected schools and communities, and to ensure that students have equitable access to devices, learning content and opportunities. Other specific recommendations in this regard are set out below: a) Improve the quality and availability of data on the status of school connectivity [...]; b) Set guidelines for the Internet and devices in schools [...]; c) Improve digital device-to-student ratios in schools [...] d) Enhance connectivity information to include the community [...] e) Increase the availability of information on traffic and bandwidth use from schools [...] f) Improve the affordability of Internet connectivity for students [...] g) Assess the impact of e-learning on education outcomes [...]" (Recommendations, pages 47-48)
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"This publication is about actual cases of making the research on digital cultures of children and young which can be of help in the methodological sense. Hopefully, the cases as reflective narratives of already implemented studies, can help the reader to avoid pitfalls on the way of studying childr
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en and youth online. The production of this publication started in 2021 with an open call for papers, followed by a referendum process and a few rounds of edits by authors. Finally, it was published in June 2022 in the form of short articles with authors' video abstracts online. Articles are meant to deepen the 'Methods Toolkit' together with 'Ethical Compass'. First, authors introduce the actual case and context, second, they describe the main methodological practices used as mixed methods in the case and as third, authors map up the lessons learned as conclusion with selected references." (Introduction, page 6)
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"En el Perú existen alrededor de nueve millones de adolescentes entre 12 y 17 años. De este grupo, se estima que el 92.9 % hace uso de internet para socializar, informarse, desarrollar pasatiempos y asistir a clases durante la pandemia. Según las estadísticas oficiales, la población de adolesce
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ntes muestra una brecha digital de género menor a la de otros grupos etarios, pero estas estadísticas solo se limitan a medir la brecha de acceso material. Para entender de manera integral las barreras que enfrentan los y las adolescentes, se debe ahondar en las formas de impacto que internet tiene en sus vidas diarias, así como los estereotipos de género que pueden ser fomentados dentro de su entorno social próximo. Es por ello que entrevistamos a expertos y actores clave sobre la situación actual de la brecha digital de género en el Perú y elaboramos un estudio de campo novedoso –basado en la metodología diseñada por UNICEF y Global Kids Online– que nos permitió descubrir la diversidad de factores que promueven e inhiben la apropiación de internet por parte de adolescentes." (Página 6)
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"As the world welcomes its 8 billionth inhabitant, an estimated 5.3 billion people – roughly 66 per cent of the global population – are using the Internet. Yet some 2.7 billion people worldwide remain totally offline, with universal connectivity still a distant prospect in least developed countr
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ies and landlocked developing countries, where, on average, only 36 per cent of the population is online. Young people remain the driving force of connectivity globally, with 75 per cent of the 15- to 24-year-old age group now online, compared with 65 per cent for the rest of the world’s population. And while data show slow but steady growth in fixed-broadband subscriptions, mobile continues to dominate as the platform of choice for online access, particularly in low-income countries where wireline connections can be scarce and costly, notably for those living outside of major urban centres. In poorly connected countries, two of the biggest barriers to digital uptake remain cost and digital skills. While affordability of entry-level fixed- and mobile-broadband services improved in 2022, the global gap remains far too wide. For an average consumer in a typical low-income economy, the cheapest mobile broadband basket still costs more than 9 per cent of his or her income – over six times the global average. Fixed-broadband service costs over 30 per cent, compared with less than 2 per cent in the world’s high-income countries." (Foreword)
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"Este artículo tiene como objetivo caracterizar las lógicas que moldean la construcción de perfiles e identidades digitales utilizadas por los y las adolescentes como parte de sus interacciones en redes sociales en Chile. Al usar una aproximación cuantitativa que incluyó la adaptación y valida
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ción de instrumentos estandarizados, se indagó por las prácticas y estrategias utilizadas en la construcción de dichos perfiles en una muestra de estudiantes secundarios chilenos/as (N=892). Los resultados señalan que los y las adolescentes reportan un grado significativo de autenticidad en la presentación del “yo” en las redes, con importantes diferencias según sexo, que muestran cómo los códigos y normas offline son reapropiadas en el espacio digital." (Resumen)
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"In response to this broader global context, the GAGE Jordan team developed a set of qualitative research tools to explore the experiences of adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to digital inclusion, with a focus on young people affected by forced displacement. These tools aim to ex
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plore how young people spend their days, how this has changed since the pandemic, and subsequently after improved access to devices (e.g. for beneficiaries of free tablets as has been the case for approximately 20,000 refugee children and adolescents in Jordan under an EU-funded UNICEF Jordan programme launched in 2021), and in particular what role digital technology plays in their lives. These tools are aimed broadly at understanding how adolescents are connecting with people, information and services, and how this has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. They are also aimed more specifically at understanding how adolescents are accessing information, education and learning – and interacting with NGO programming – and how this has changed since the pandemic (and after the tablet distribution). While the tools were developed with a specific context in mind, we believe they can be easily adapted to other contexts in order to explore the extent to which young people’s right to digital inclusion is being realised, and to support evidence-informed programming and policy improvements over time." (Introduction)
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"In 2022, internet penetration and social platform usage reached an all-time high – 43.4% of the total population who use the internet are youth aged between 15-24 years. Youth voters have explicitly become a major target of political parties and their campaign messages. We can expect social media
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and online campaigns to be deployed by political parties, sometimes at an expense of authenticity, to reach out to these young voters. However, legal and non-legal measures implemented to date have yet to effectively address disinformation. Hence, youth and other voters remain potentially exposed to the risk of online manipulation during the election. This baseline study identifies the risks from 5 recurring patterns of disinformation related to: sexual orientation and promiscuity; corruption; electoral integrity; women politicians and foreign interference. The 2022 Johor Bahru State Election confirms this trend. To mitigate disinformation and build trust in the electoral system and process, Asia Centre has complied some recommendations for key stakeholders in educational institutions, the election commission, government, media, NGOs, political parties, technology companies and youth groups who can implement them as practical safeguards to ensure that first-time and other voters are not subjected to manipulation through disinformation campaigns." (Conclusion, page 34)
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"Social media, with its generally reported adverse effects, has become prevalent in daily lives of young people in Zimbabwe. The aim of this article is to outline the effects of social media on youth behaviour in Zimbabwe, as described by the Ruwa youths in Harare. The article reports the results of
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survey of youth conducted through interviews and questionnaires; and, it finds that youth in Ruwa are increasingly using social media in their daily lives, especially for purposes of entertainment and communication, and they believe that it has positive effects in their lives. It recommends that youth making use of social media need to understand the intent and to remain informed. Furthermore, it recommends that youth need to ensure data protection, use social media platforms productively and guard against negative habits associated with improved social connectivity." (Abstract)
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"Seit 2016 bietet das öffentlich-rechtliche Content-Netzwerk 'funk' konfektionierte Inhalte für die junge Zielgruppe. Bekanntheit und Reichweite des öffentlich-rechtlichen ContentNetzwerks nehmen seitdem stetig zu. YouTube und Instagram wurden 2021 als Primärplattformen bespielt, da sie von 14-
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bis 29-Jährigen am intensivsten genutzt werden. Bei der Nutzung der funk-Angebote zeigten sich plattformbezogene Unterschiede bei inhaltlichen Präferenzen und Interaktion." (Kurz und knapp, Seite 364)
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"1. Social media is a key resource for news. A primary factor is its friendly user interface. It also acts as a “one-stop-shop” where users can shape the types of media they consume. This forms a stark contrast with offline media, which made little notable presence for attendees across all group
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s; 2. Social media is considered a news source by itself, and several attendees took information there at face value. Given the effort required to verify information, most participants only took this extra step for topics they were genuinely interested in. Otherwise, some relied for confirmation on key journalistic figures or outlets who have proven themselves to follow higher professional and ethical standards; 3. Most attendees were extremely wary of sharing political content as they do not feel safe doing so or do not wish to be branded as supporters of certain political factions." (Findings, page 8)
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"1. Digital media overshadowed offline media for several reasons. In Jordan’s case, trust was the primary factor and a reoccurring theme during the focus group discussions. Offline media was often associated with the status quo and therefore, inspired little to no credibility for the participants;
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2. Speed and accessibility were also important factors, and this was reflected even within the digital media scene. Content produced by outlets such as 7ibr was perceived as lengthy and time consuming. Attendees favored quick and straight to the point content; 3. Participants’ preference towards social media indicates the need for a perception of control over the content they consume, a feeling they greatly crave due to their distrust of the government as well as traditional media outlets. However, this is a double-edged sword as it leaves them vulnerable to echo chambers, given the way social media algorithms operate." (Findings, page 6)
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"El trabajo investigativo se desarrolla en tres capítulos distribuidos de la siguiente forma: el primer capítulo describe el nacimiento de Internet, su rápido desarrollo y la gran revolución provocada en la sociedad al influir en las formas de comunicarse, relacionarse e interactuar. El impacto
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global de esta tecnología es un hecho nunca antes visto [...] el segundo capítulo identifica el aumento considerable del uso de las tecnologías digitales y en especial el acceso a las redes sociales por parte de menores en América Latina. Por eso, el apartado describe las características de la screen generation de la región según los distintos informes institucionales que profundizan los diferentes riesgos y oportunidades que las generaciones juveniles encuentran en una sociedad altamente digitalizada y circundada de pantallas a pesar del gran problema de la brecha digital [...] Tercer capítulo: inmersos en el mundo de las pantallas, los adolescentes y las familias en general, necesitan de políticas de protección que les permitan una vida digital segura. Por eso, este último punto se concentra en las líneas guías para la educación digital donde se describen las diversas acciones llevadas a cabo por las instituciones encargadas de la alfabetización digital. A su vez, se pone énfasis en la importancia de promover un justo empoderamiento digital de los padres e hijos, generando un ecosistema digital seguro." (Introducción, página 5-7)
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"This book advances alternative approaches to understanding media, culture and technology in two vibrant regions of the Global South. Bringing together scholars from Africa and the Caribbean, it traverses the domains of communication theory, digital technology strategy, media practice reforms, and c
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orporate and cultural renewal. The first section tackles research and technology with new conceptual thinking from the South. The book then looks at emerging approaches to community digital networks, online diaspora entertainment, and video gaming strategies. The volume then explores reforms in policy and professional practice, including in broadcast television, online newspapers, media philanthropy, and business news reporting. Its final section examines the role of village-based folk media, the power of popular music in political opposition, and new approaches to overcoming neo-colonial propaganda and external corporate hegemony." (Publisher description)
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"1. Participants used a mix of social media platforms and TV/radio to acquire news. Word of mouth was also a noteworthy source of information. Many participants expressed a distaste for comment sections. It was generally agreed that information found on social media should not be taken as truth.
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The majority of attendees verified information they acquired, especially news from social media platforms. News that was not credible was deemed not worthy of sharing. The participants were scrupulous when it came to cross referencing news.
3. Global news sites were perceived as more trustworthy when it came to international news. The New York Times, for example, was mentioned multiple times.
4. Participants were open to a diverse range of topics including politics, culture, and women’s rights. They felt that education and local tourism as standalone subjects were overused. The integration of mental health resources into the education system sparked discussion and tackled a concept many deemed important." (Findings, page 6)
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