methodologies

This week we were to look at one of the weeks readings and the specific approach and methodologies that were employed.

The reading assigned to our group was Sonia Livingstone's research on how teens use the Internet for the purposes of self expression and identity; as well as bridging into the area of online Dangerous liaisons. She employed qualitative research methods, in particular interviews and group interviews. The sample size was a relatively small amount of youths between 13-16 all with home Internet access. The teens were from various socio-economic backgrounds and all were from Greater London.

Livingstone's intent was to view the sociological nature of the use of social networking sites to construct specific identities for teens. Her research observed how much of themselves they revealed online be it fictitious or real. Together with the participants, and with parental permission, Livingstone examined the different motivations for the representations of self. She also observed the social readings of others networks and the relationships that the participants had, and kept, online and the relationships ion the "real" world.

She observed the participants different uses of social networking sites, be it for communication or purely an avenue of the proclamation of an identity. She stated that younger teens predominantly used the sites to "Play and Display"; whereas the older teens used for more authentic relationships.

Livingstone, S.(2008) 'Taking risky opportunities in youthful content creation: teenagers’ use of social networking sites for intimacy, privacy and self-expression.' New Media & Society, Vol.10 No.3, pp 459–477.