Web-based youth communities in the light of cyberspace psychology

The internet new media creates new types of communities – online or web-based communities in virtual reality. Everyone, to a certain degree, is involved in building and creating online communities. The main aim of this study is to make an overview of cyberspace technology and to extrapolate the influence of computers, technology and virtual environments on the psychology of Bulgarian students (individuals and groups). This study is focused on the chief features of web-based life in web-based communities. Web-based youth communities are capable of mirroring the behaviour of people in virtual realit

Using Digital Tools to Foster Critical Inquiry

How do adolescents use digital media as tools in ways that go beyond simply extracting information or playing games to engaging in the literacy practices involved in critical inquiry activities?published or submitted for publicationis peer reviewe

The internet and sexual offending: an international perspective

Although the sexual abuse of children is a long-standing problem that has received considerable scholarly attention, still little is understood about sex offenses that occur by means of, or are facilitated through, the Internet. Increasing awareness of the Internet as a platform for the perpetration of sexual crimes has raised new questions on this aspect of criminal behavior. Of interest, for example, is whether those who engage in Internet-related sex crimes are a distinct type of sexual offender, or whether these offenders “merely” use newer technological methods to facilitate or perpetrate offenses. Moreover, little is known about the patterns, motivations, or typological similarities among types of individuals who use the Internet to commit sexual crimes. Of further concern is the risk posed by this class of sexual offenders, particularly the extent or rate at which those with an Internet-based conviction will escalate to (or have already engaged in) other types of sexual offences, especially “hands on” or contact sexual offenses. In reviewing the current empirical literature and drawing attention to areas of research need, this chapter addresses these and other pertinent questions related to use of the Internet in the commission of sexual offenses This chapter also draws focus to the importance of international cooperation, including policing, industry, (e.g., Internet Service Providers [ISPs], finance companies), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in the control and persecution of these offenses. Given the still limited empirical knowledge in this area, coupled with the inherently global nature of the Internet and the pace of technological advancement, the prosecution of Internet-based sexual crimes poses unique challenges that require thoughtful and rigorous scholarly attention

The influence of internet use on identity in Asia: a social psychological approach

George Herbert Mead suggested that identity is constructed rather than fixed, a notion taken up by Erving Goffman in his detailed analysis of social interaction (Goffman, 1059). Goffman described social behaviour using a theatrical metaphor in which roles are performed for an audience. Role descriptions describe how to behave and interact; it is the detail of such descriptions that is socially negotiated during identity construction. This construction can be considered as a tension between internal and external forces.Not all identities are equally malleable during the identity construction process; those identities strongly influenced by internalised norms and values, or by embodiment, are resistant to change (although change is not impossible). Others, such as professional identity, are much more flexible.A considerable portion of the literature relating to identity online examines gender, yet gender is one of the more change-resistant aspects of identity. However there are many other aspects to identity that are more likely to be influenced by the different social interactions to which Internet-use exposes us.This paper uses interview data from university students from a number of Asian countries to explore which aspects of their identities are most influenced by social interactions made possible by the Internet. The findings suggest that identity construction is indeed influenced by Internet use, although not necessarily in a uniform way

Digital Media and Youth: Unparalleled Opportunity and Unprecedented Responsibility

Part of the Volume on Digital Media, Youth, and Credibility This chapter argues that understanding credibility is particularly complex -- and consequential -- in the digital media environment, especially for youth audiences, who have both advantages and disadvantages due to their relationship with contemporary technologies and their life experience. The chapter explains what is, and what is not, new about credibility in the context of digital media, and discusses the major thrusts of current credibility concerns for scholars, educators, and youth

Cyber-Bullying: Developing Policy to Direct Responses that are Equitable and Effective in Addressing this Special Form of Bullying

The article reviews existing research on cyber-bullying, framed through a policy lens. It is clear that public policy issues for cyber-bullying involve tensions between the values of freedom of speech, the best interests of the child, and parental and school protective authority over the child. Given the complexity of the problem, as well as conflicting values, the development of effective policy requires a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders – policymakers, school officials, parents and youth. It is important to emphasize literature that delineates the differences between conventional bullying and cyber-bullying because the two are very different and must be treated and analyzed separately. Thus, the following sections set out the definitions and mechanisms of cyber-bullying for policymakers contemplating new and/or modified policies, review the characteristics of the problem and the psychology of Internet abuse, explain the physical and mental consequences of it, and outline the results of recent surveys on cyber-bullying. Finally, the article concludes with recommendations on implementing acceptable use policies at the School Board and individual school levels, as well as family contracts for home use.