Social Media & Connected Learning: CI 3342

What is digital divide and digital equity?

Digital divide "describes the disparity that exists among individuals and communities around the world with varying degrees of access to digitally mediated information and communication technologies (ICTs) and ability to benefit from digital resources” (Pazurek & Feyissa, 2015). In short, this term encompasses the gap in digital technologies that are available to those who have certain capital and access to resources versus those who do not have this privilege. As for digital equity, this term “ensures all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy” (The National Digital Inclusion Alliance, 2016). In other words, digital equity ensures fairness and bringing services to populations or areas that would otherwise not be able to access the necessary technologies needed to be on an equal-level playing field as those communities that have access.

Relation of terms and impact of limited access

These two terms work well together in that one explains the gap in technologies and the other tries to close this gap. It is important to be able to provide access to all in order for people to participate in society and continue to learn. When access is limited, denied, or blocked, it closes off people to parts of the world that can benefit them or provide them with more opportunities. As a world that is constantly mediated by digital technology, those without access will be far behind and won’t be able to advance at the same levels as others. For example, when we consider education, children in low-income districts will be hindered from learning skills to make them successful in our world’s economy (Soltan). Based on a Pew Report (2012), 62% of people who live in households making less than $30,000 used the internet compared to 90% of people in households making $50,000 to $74,999 a year (Smith & Zickuhr, 2012).

Digital inclusion and final remarks

What is digital citizenship?

According to Common Sense Media, digital citizenship means “to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world” (Common Sense Media, 2018). In short, digital citizenship is how we are being responsible with our technology use and it is commonly referred to as #DigCit on social networking websites like Twitter. It can be classified under what is known as REP (Respect, Educate, Protect). This means that we must respect ourselves and others, educate ourselves and connect with others, and protect ourselves and others (Ribble, Bailey, & Ross, 2004). K-12 educators are starting to learn more or become familiar with the term, however, it is still a term that needs to be in the everyday vocabulary of faculty, staff, and students in higher education.

#DigCit versus Digital Literacy

Digital Citizenship and digital literacy might sound similar, and indeed they are, but they are also two different terms. Digital literacy is often included under digital citizenship as one of the nine elements or themes: digital access, digital commerce, digital communication, digital etiquette, digital law, digital rights and responsibilities, digital health and wellness, and digital security (Ribble, Bailey, & Ross, 2004). It is also referred to as “media literacies”. We already know what #digcit means, but what does digital literacy mean? It encompasses a wide array of skills like social skills, cultural competencies, and technical skills. It is an evolving definition, according to Liana Heitin of Education Week (2016). This is why the two words are often confused because both terms revolve around the usage of technology, communication, and looking at or finding credible sources.

But an easier way or a shorter way to distinguish between the two terms is knowing that digital citizenship hold us accountable for how we use technology while digital literacy teaches how to use technology.

Fostering Digital Citizenship

But in order to know how to use technology and to do it in a responsible way, it is important to incorporate learning about these terms into higher education. Before we get to that, it is critical to begin with young children and then foster it into their mindsets. After all, [a] strong understanding of digital citizenship is essential for students of all ages to be able to make smart choices online and in life. Meanwhile, technology is constantly changing and becomes outdated quickly, so there are always new and important skills that must be taught” (Ottesen, 2018). When they grow, it will stick with them. Adults have to be onboard with teaching it to learners and be willing to learn themselves. If institutions offered required training courses as part of faculty/staff training, it would be one way of enacting good digital citizenship. “[P]erhaps it’s a conversation more of us should have in future conclaves, at conferences, and in casual conversations,” says The Digital Matters Blog Team.

Participatory Culture

What is it? It has low barriers to artistic expression and civic engagement and supports creating and sharing with others via meaningful contributions and social connections. It’s a collective focus compared to individual involvement (Jenkins, Puroshotma, Clinton, Weigel, & Robison, 2009). Participatory culture relates to social media because social media networks are places where we can communicate with one another via various means--text, image, video, etc.--and share that with others and then have discussions. One person can tweet about something and then other can choose to retweet it.

Participation

My participation on social media is high-involvement and constant. I am always on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and GroupMe communicating with people, sharing ideas, and listening to what others are saying. As Henry Jenkins (2010) discusses on his TED talk, we are digital natives coming together to meet each other with equal footing because of common interests we hold. These platforms provide opportunities for growth and improvement because of the information that is out there. There is always a teaching moment. More than 65% of teens have shared media they’ve produced (Jenkins, 2010) and I am sure that number is higher than 70%. Its other’s media posts that inspire me to participate online.

I feel more confident to share my opinions if someone else does and then I can find someone else who can relate to that opinion or someone who wants to challenge it. For the most part, Facebook is a great way to share posts that others have made and I do this quite often. My friends will share something that I find funny and I will re-share it to my own feed for my friends to see. It gives them a glimpse of who I am and how I think. On a site like this, I have my own personal blog. I used to share written content when I was in middle school and high school, but that all changed as I was transitioning to college. Now, I just share posts others have reblogged. It’s a space to feel comfortable and surrounded by like-minded people.

Introduction:

This week’s (week 3) topic on Exploring the Human-Technology Relationship discusses teens and adult’s behaviors in relation to social media. I looked at research from Common Sense Media and the Pew Research Center, which reveals some key insights into how adults and teens use social media and what their relationship is like with the various platforms that exist today. From these two research focused platforms, I noted that teens use social media constantly via their favorite platforms, Snapchat and Instagram. About 68% of adults, on the other hand, prefer Facebook in addition to YouTube (Smith & Anderson, 2018). 

Positives:

Some positive effects that were shared by the teens included discussing passions with like-minded people, staying up-to-date with people, and liking the idea that social media is new and exciting to look at and learn from. In addition, it strengthens relationships. Overall, “teens are much more likely to say social media has a positive rather than a negative effect on how they feel” (Common Sense Medi, 2018). It has the power to connect and heal and start kids at a young age to have conversations. This is so important in our day and age to foster conversations for kids and even young adults to have. It helps build skills and mindsets for the future. I think there are people out there who disagree with using social media, but quite frankly, the times have changed and this is the new form of communication. A couple of decades ago, the form was paper and pen. That was the norm and I am sure people still preferred face-to-face. It’s definitely the evolution of communication and we are programmed now to think and respond in a different way than ever before.

Negatives:

On the other side, some negatives that were shared included reading about sexist or racist things regarding others, bullying, use of offensive language, invalidation of feelings, and that social media distracts them from in-person connections and important things in their lives. According to the Common Sense infographic on their website, 29% of teens reported waking up in the middle of the night because of notifications on their phones. I definitely have woken up in the middle of the night via the phenomenon of “phantom vibration” where I think I have notifications, but I do not. Sometimes, once I hear my phone vibrate, I stop what I am doing instantly to check. This can affect day-to-day activities like work, school, and social life,

Final thoughts: