"This report focuses on South Africa and presents the results of a quantitative survey conducted on MXit, the most widely used social networking platform in the country. The first section discusses mobile internet use and social networking in the South African context, where computer and broadband i
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nternet use is low but access to mobile phones is high. The second section discusses the prevalence of chatting on MXit among adolescents and young people across all demographics in South Africa. The latter sections delve into an understanding of the behaviour of MXit users, including the reasoning behind the customary use of the phrase “Wots ur ASLR?” (What is your Age, Sex, Location and Race?). This paper is the beginning of an in-depth understanding of the digital behaviour and risks faced by MXit users, and may be used to inform future research in this regard." (Abstract)
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"Popular Media, Democracy and Development in Africa examines the role that popular media could play to encourage political debate, provide information for development, or critique the very definitions of 'democracy' and 'development'. Drawing on diverse case studies from various regions of the Afric
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an continent, essays employ a range of theoretical and methodological approaches to ask critical questions about the potential of popular media to contribute to democratic culture, provide sites of resistance, or, conversely, act as agents for the spread of Americanized entertainment culture to the detriment of local traditions. A wide variety of media formats and platforms are discussed, ranging from radio and television to the Internet, mobile phones, street posters, film and music." (Publisher description)
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"This material summarizes the main results and trends of a survey carried out with children and young people aged 13-18 in Tirana. The material focuses on the preference of this age group regarding different media, on the trends of opinions, suggestions for improvement, especially regarding the port
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rayal of this age group, as well as the relationship of trust this group has with each of these media." (Page 2)
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"Der Band gibt einen Einblick in verschiedene sozial- und medienwissenschaftliche Studien zur Erforschung der Potenziale und der sozialen, ethischen sowie rechtlichen Problematiken von sowohl Netzwerkportalen als auch Online-Spielekulturen. Wissenschaftler und Praktiker setzen sich ausführlich mit
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den neuen Kommunikationsräumen des Internets auseinander und zeigen über handlungsorientierte Ansätze der Medienpädagogik Wege auf, wie Netzwerkaktivitäten kritisch reflektiert werden können." (Verlagsbeschreibung)
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"Aus den neuen Möglichkeiten der digitalen Welt resultiert eine Vielzahl (medien-)pädagogischer Aufgaben. „Jugend online – Herausforderungen für eine digitale Jugendbildung“ heißt die neue Publikation über die Arbeit des medienpädagogischen Projektes, die aktuelle Entwicklungen der digit
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alen Welt und ihre Bedeutung für die Medienpädagogik aufzeigt sowie Angebote und Maßnahmen, die Jugend online initiiert und erprobt hat. Ergänzend berichten Partnerinnen und Partner von Jugend online von gemeinsamen Projekten, Veranstaltungen und Aktionen. Damit bietet die Publikation vielfältige Anregungen für die Praxis einer zeitgemäßen Medien- und Jugendarbeit." (Verlagsbeschreibung)
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"This article explores how computers and the Internet are represented among young, educated people in Niger and the social expectations that are attached to their use. It argues that pre-existing social and economic conditions play an important role in shaping the meanings associated with these devi
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ces. Thus, in a context of poverty and unemployment, the Internet and computers are perceived as technologies that may help young people and their country integrate into a modern world of economic opportunities and well-being via the transnational and transcultural interactions that take place in cyberspace. The Internet is associated with the ideas of modernity and ‘leapfrogging’ development. However, because of the lack of computer equipment and adequate infrastructure, these expectations are largely exaggerated, and they divert attention from the actual possibilities for change that reside in people and not in technological devices. The research is based on fieldwork conducted among young, educated computer and Internet users during the summers of 2003 and 2004 in Niamey, the capital city of Niger and further complemented by data collected in 2008." (Abstract)
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"Contrary to the optimistic view that the Internet would promote democracy in authoritarian countries like China, the pervasive political apathy among younger generations calls for a closer examination of micro-level individual political participation. This study contributes to the nascent body of e
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mpirical literature probing Chinese Internet users' political participation online by examining related behavioral and attitudinal factors. We argue that Chinese netizens' online participatory behaviors are determined by their political attitudes, trust in the media, and, chiefly, trust in the social system. Importantly, the current political and social environment in China seems to truncate any liberalizing potential of the Internet, as evidenced by the limited online political discussion and strong presence of government regulation. This dynamic implies that any utopian predictions concerning political participation online need to be reformulated in light of these external contextual factors." (Abstract)
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"This pilot study surveyed 2,744 university and high school students in Jordan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. It asked about their media consumption and production habits, and about their attitudes towards certain media. Among the significant findings, the survey found the participants high
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ly adept at using new media. They spent considerable time consuming new and traditional media, but much less time producing media content. For instance, the vast majority of participants indicated that they had never blogged. In addition, those who did produce media content, through blogging or otherwise, tended to do it in a language other than their native language. Indeed, with the exception of news, the majority of surveyed youth consumed and produced media in English, rather than Arabic. In addition, the participants used media predominantly for entertainment, for connecting with others, and for work or schoolwork, but less often for current affairs, for expressing their opinions, or for political activism." (Summary of findings, page 9)
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"This book examines, from theoretical and empirical perspectives, the claims that new information and communication technologies (ICTs) are catalysts of democratic change in Africa. Contributors do so from optimist, pragmatist-realist, and pessimist stances through analyses of various forms of evide
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nces—including words and deeds of various political actors and organizations or institutions, from government units to political parties and party leaders to civil society organizations and minority or marginalized groups. The main focus is, therefore, on the interrelated concepts of e-participation and e-democracy." (Preface)
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"This volume the consequences of digital media use for young people's individual and social identities. The contributors explore how young people use digital media to share ideas and creativity and to participate in networks that are small and large, local and global, intimate and anonymous. They lo
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ok at the emergence of new genres and forms, from SMS and instant messaging to home pages, blogs, and social networking sites. They discuss such topics as “girl power” online, the generational digital divide, young people and mobile communication, and the appeal of the “digital publics” of MySpace, considering whether these media offer young people genuinely new forms of engagement, interaction, and communication." (Back cover)
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"This volume addresses the issue of credibility—the objective and subjective components that make information believable—in the contemporary media environment. The contributors look particularly at youth audiences and experiences, considering the implications of wide access and the questionable
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credibility of information for youth and learning. They discuss such topics as the credibility of health information online, how to teach credibility assessment, and public policy solutions. Much research has been done on credibility and new media, but little of it focuses on users younger than college students. Digital Media, Youth, and Credibility fills this gap in the literature." (Publisher description)
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"This volume examines the core issues that arise when digital media use results in unintended learning experiences and unanticipated social encounters. The contributors examine the complex mix of emergent practices and developments online and elsewhere that empower young users to function as drivers
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of technological change, recognizing that these new technologies are embedded in larger social systems, school, family, friends. The chapters consider such topics as (un)equal access across economic, racial, and ethnic lines; media panics and social anxieties; policy and Internet protocols; media literacy; citizenship vs. consumption; creativity and collaboration; digital media and gender equity; shifting notions of temporality; and defining the public/private divide." (Back cover)
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"Ängste und Hoffnungen verbinden sich mit den jungen Menschen, die in der arabischen Welt zwei Drittel der Bevölkerung ausmachen. Wie reagieren die Jugendlichen auf die Herausforderungen einer globalisierten Welt? Anhand der Internetnutzung marokkanischer Jugendlicher und den damit verbundenen Ane
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ignungspraktiken lässt diese Studie die Ambivalenz von Globalisierungsprozessen in der arabischen Welt sichtbar werden. In der kommunikativen Entgrenzung wird die eigene strukturelle Begrenzung deutlich: Geographische, soziale und kulturelle Grenzen werden hinterfragt, verschoben und überwunden – aber auch fixiert." (Verlagsbeschreibung)
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