Digital Media, Friendship and Cultures of Care

This book explores how digital media can extend care practices among friends and peers, researching young people's negotiations of sexual health, mental health, gender/sexuality, and dating apps, and highlighting the need for a multifocal approach that centers young people's expertise. It introduces the concept of digital cultures of care as a new framework through which to consider digital practices of friendship and peer support, and how these play out across a range of platforms and networks.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the profound ways in which digital media can enhance care practices among friends and peers, shedding light on the intricate negotiations young individuals engage in regarding sexual health, mental well-being, gender/sexuality, and dating apps. Through extensive research, it underscores the urgent need for a multifaceted approach that centers the expertise and voices of young people themselves.

Approaching digital and social media from an everyday practice perspective, Digital Media, Friendship, and Cultures of Care emphasizes that these platforms have seamlessly become an integral part of our lives. The book introduces the concept of digital cultures of care as a novel framework, offering a fresh perspective on the digital practices of friendship and peer support. It explores how these practices unfold across various platforms and networks, challenging common public and academic concerns about the influence of peers and friendships on young individuals.

By unpacking and reevaluating these terms in the context of digital media, the book draws on qualitative research findings to argue that digital and social media have created significant opportunities for emotional support, particularly for young people and marginalized communities who often face exclusion from formal healthcare and social support. This book appeals to a wide range of readers, including academics, students, health promoters, educators, policymakers, and advocacy groups focused on young people, LGBTQ+ communities, or digital citizenship.

Academics with a particular interest in this book will find it particularly valuable in their work in digital media studies, health sociology, critical public health, health communication, sexualities, cultural studies, sex education, and gender studies. The comprehensive nature of this book makes it a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and practitioners seeking to understand the evolving landscape of digital media and its impact on care practices among young individuals and communities.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367625412