Open AccessYoung People, Online Networks, and Social Inclusion
Author(s) -
Notley Tanya
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of computer‐mediated communication
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.15
H-Index - 119
ISSN - 1083-6101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2009.01487.x
Subject(s) - inclusion (mineral) , digital inclusion , government (linguistics) , online participation , social exclusion , public relations , value (mathematics) , sociology , social network (sociolinguistics) , digital government , internet privacy , social psychology , the internet , social media , psychology , political science , economic growth , social science , digital transformation , computer science , world wide web , economics , linguistics , philosophy , machine learning , law
This paper examines the ways 9 teenage Australians—identified as being ‘at risk’ of social exclusion—are using online networks to participate in society. The research finds that online networks provided participants with valuable opportunities for social inclusion. These findings are contextualized in relation to current Australian Government education and social policies that, on the one hand, aspire to support young people's social inclusion, and on the other restrict their ability to use online networks because of safety and health concerns. This study contends that by defining and understanding the social value of young people's online network use we can move toward a policy framework that not only addresses potential online risks, but supports equitable digital inclusion for young people.