1,211 research outputs found
Late Adolescents’ Perceptions of a Digital Generation Gap and Perceived Parent-Child Relations
Empirical investigations concerning generational differences between parents and adolescents were prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s. Interest in generational differences has resurfaced with the advent and evolution of technology. This study examined perceived generational differences between late adolescent and parent knowledge about interactive technologies. A sample of late adolescents (N = 605) reported their own interactive technology knowledge and perceptions of their parents’ technology knowledge via online questionnaires. Paired t tests and Cohen’s d were used to compare late adolescents’ self-reported knowledge with their perceptions of their parents’ knowledge. Perceived digital generation gaps were identified in the knowledge areas of video chat, cell phones, general social networking, Twitter, basic email, and advanced email. The differences remained constant when paired t tests were conducted separately by male and female late adolescents.
Patterns between perceived parent-late adolescent relationship characteristics and perceived generational differences in technology knowledge were examined using Cohen’s d. Differences in perceived parent-child quality time were found among male late adolescents when there were generational technology knowledge differences in the areas of email, Twitter, and social networking. Parent-child conflict was most related to perceived generational technology differences in Twitter, video chat, and general social networking knowledge. Finally, perceived generational technology knowledge differences in the areas of video chat, Twitter, email, and general social networking were most related to differences in perceived parental-knowledge of late adolescents’ behaviors
Exploring Generational Differences in Text Messaging Usage and Habits
Members of society today embrace multiple communication media for various purposes and intents. Text messaging has been identified as the medium of choice for continual relationship maintenance and text messaging from mobile devices overshadows all other media forms for the support of social connections. Text messaging is changing everything from how operators market their plans to how advertisers and service providers reach consumers. But just as technology usage of social media and internet access are different across generational boundaries, text messaging usage and habits may also be different for various generational groups. The majority of peer-reviewed research regarding text messaging usage habits has focused on adolescent and young adult users with less attention on text messaging usage habits by older adults; there is a scarcity of peer-reviewed research examining cross-generation text messaging habits and texting usage patterns. The primary goal of this study was to assess the similarities and differences in text messaging usage habits, purposes, and support of social connections differentiated by five of the commonly designated generational groups in America; the Post-War Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. A mixed methods study provided data on the text messaging usage habits of members of the generational groups using a pool of adult college students, members of the researcher’s LinkedIn network, and data from a survey service to determine to what extent differences and similarities exist between users’ text messaging usage habits within each generational group. Results indicated generational group membership has a significant effect on a participant’s messaging volume (UV), text messaging partner choices (TMPC), and text messaging social habits (SH), regardless of gender, education level, or employment status. The older the generational group, the more likely they are to prefer talking over texting and to have issues with the device interface. The Post-War Silent generation texts their spouses the least of any group, while Generation X texts their spouses the most, and all generational groups with the exception of Generation Z would limit texting while driving. Generational characteristics seem to have some influence over texting behaviors. Contributions to the existing body of knowledge in the human computer interaction field include an investigation of factors that contribute to each generational group’s willingness to embrace or reject the text messaging medium, and an investigation into the into how each generation views and exploits the texting medium
Utilization of Social Media in Strengthening Communication in Long Distance Relationships
The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of individuals, who have experienced long distance relationships, and utilize the instant access of communication through technology to strengthen and maintain their connection despite their geographical distances. Using a qualitative design, individuals between the ages of 20-30 were asked questions about their experience of utilizing social media and technology as a mode of communication to sustain their long distance relationship. The researcher analyzed the data by looking for codes and themes within the participant’s answers. The findings indicated that the participants found that social media and technology were beneficial in helping them sustain their communication and connection throughout their long distance relationship. The participants also expressed involvement in a long distance relationship entails sacrifices, but as a whole found that the benefits of their relationship outweighed the costs. The findings of this study demonstrate the need for future research within the area of social media and relationships
Utilization of Social Media in Strengthening Communication in Long Distance Relationships
The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of individuals, who have experienced long distance relationships, and utilize the instant access of communication through technology to strengthen and maintain their connection despite their geographical distances. Using a qualitative design, individuals between the ages of 20-30 were asked questions about their experience of utilizing social media and technology as a mode of communication to sustain their long distance relationship. The researcher analyzed the data by looking for codes and themes within the participant’s answers. The findings indicated that the participants found that social media and technology were beneficial in helping them sustain their communication and connection throughout their long distance relationship. The participants also expressed involvement in a long distance relationship entails sacrifices, but as a whole found that the benefits of their relationship outweighed the costs. The findings of this study demonstrate the need for future research within the area of social media and relationships
Factors associated with young adult use of Facebook for emotional support
The present study sought to learn about the factors associated with young adult use of Facebook for emotional support. The population of interest was individuals born in the years 1980 to 1994, also known as Generation Y . Inclusion criteria included being at least age 18, born in or between the years 1980 to 1994, literacy in English, and having a Facebook account. An anonymous, online survey was used to collect quantitative data, including demographic information, perceived financial need, social support, coping behavior, Facebook intensity, Facebook satisfaction, emotional support received and provided on Facebook, and categories of Facebook use. The researcher emailed 95 friends, requesting that they send the survey link to at least 10 of their own friends, unknown to the researcher. Recruitment efforts yielded a sample of 167 individuals, primarily Caucasian (83.1%) and female (76.5%), with a mean age of 25.7. Findings indicate that being female, having a seeking social support coping style, Facebook intensity, and Facebook satisfaction were all positively associated with use of Facebook for both receiving and providing emotional support. Additionally, general emotions and friendships were the only two of 12 possible categories of Facebook use for which the majority of participants reported seeking emotional support on Facebook. Further examination of these and additional findings is provided. The implication of findings for social work practice, policy, and research is discussed. Greater emphasis is needed on expanding our understanding of the relationship between social work, social networking sites, emotional support, and mental health
Cultural Values, Connection, and Participatory Cultural Divide: Chinese Generation Cohort Differences in Adoption and Use of WeChat
abstract: This study explores how WeChat, one of the most popular Chinese-based Social Network Sites (SNSs), has been adopted and used under different patterns between two Chinese generation cohorts, namely “The post-70” (i.e., people who were born in the 1970s) and “The post-90” (i.e., people who were born in the 1990s). Three major issues were examined in this Study: (1) what are the differences in WeChat connection between two generations; (2) how Chinese post-70 and the post-90 cohorts differ regarding their cultural value orientations and how those differences influence their WeChat connection; (3) if there is a participatory cultural divide between two generation cohorts. Two hundred and eight the post-70 cohort and 221 the post-90 cohort were recruited to complete a 91-item survey. Results indicated significant differences between the post-70 and the post-90 cohorts in WeChat adoption and use, collectivistic/individualistic (COL/IND) orientations, and participation in creating and spreading of popular online memes. Moreover, factors influencing human capital- enhancing activities on WeChat were examined. Also explored were the influence of cultural values on the motivations to connect to the Internet and frequencies of different types of WeChat activities. Major findings and limitations were discussed.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Communication 201
Parents\u27 Perceptions and Awareness of Cyberbullying of Children and Adolescents
New communication technology, including Facebook, Twitter, cell phones, and instant messaging, has connected people in ways that were unknown. The benefits for people contacting each other at a moment\u27s notice are profound; however, these benefits bring new risks, such as, cyberbullying, which is a development from traditional bullying. Cyberbullying is the use of the internet to perpetrate deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm another person or others. Cyberbullying affects large numbers of children and adolescents, but its psychological impact is not clearly understood, apart from people hearing anecdotes on the suicides of cyberbullied youth. Furthermore, parental perceptions of cyberbullying, including its extent and impact, are largely unknown. The present study examined parents\u27 perceptions and awareness of cyberbullying (PPAC) of children and adolescents. An online PPAC survey included a Likert-type questionnaire and several open ended questions interspersed within the instrument that addressed research hypotheses and questions on cyberbullying of school and undergraduate students. The PPAC showed high internal consistency reliability. Significant findings included the following: participants believed that cyberbullying is a problem that needs to be addressed; that traditional bullying is more harmful than cyberbullying; that participants were more likely to have learned about cyberbullying from television than any other media; that they were familiar with social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter; and that school and law involvement was believed to be more helpful prevention than parental involvement. Participants\u27 comments richly expanded on their answers to the quantitative items. Using qualitative thematic analyses, many themes emerged, the most common being: fear is a major obstacle preventing youth from getting help; awareness needs to be raised about cyberbullying; and talking with other parents plays a major role in learning about cyberbullying. The discussion of the results and their implications provide an understanding of parental beliefs, attitudes, and needs with regards to cyberbullying and the preventative and intervention methods that could be used by them, schools, and the law. Importantly, parents indicated low self-efficacy beliefs, a helpless observer stance, or an attribution blame orientation toward other parents about the advent of cyberbullying. There is a discussion of educational programming for students and parents, policy-making actions, future directions in research, and limitations of the study
Social connectivity and HIV risk behavior: mobile phones and sexuality in Yaoundé youth culture
This study is about changing culture. It deals with the acquisition of a mobile phone by young people in Yaoundé (Cameroon), its level of usage or of social connectivity, and the role it might have in HIV transmission. I examine how the use of a mobile phone impacts courtship, and how it creates and facilitates not only flirtatious behavior, but also unwanted sexual solicitations. Data results prove that young people embark on social connectivity to attain three social goals, (1) to increase longer-term life chances, (2) to increase means to gain material support and (3) to increase means to maintain self-status in the eyes of peers. They use mobile phones to create social ties that might result in sexual relations where barriers to condom use are involved, and as such it might lead to unsafe sexual encounters. Due to the economic and socio-cultural factors that obstruct the communication for safer sex between young people and their sexual partners – especially sugar daddies/mummies or mbomas – the power to enforce condom use is rarely equal. Data results prove that in Yaoundé, young people’s risky sexual practices are exacerbated by the mboma syndrome. Through a cross-cultural conceptual approach, I compare sexual risk behaviors related to the use of mobile phone among young people of Yaoundé with those of Ghent (Belgium), enabling me to assess distinctive sexual values that exist in different cultural backgrounds
ICT USE AND IDENTITY FORMATION AMONG BEIJING'S RURAL-TO-URBAN GRADUATE WORKERS
Master'sMASTER OF ART
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