Emotions Online: Feelings and Affordances of Digital Media

Digital media have become deeply immersed in our lives, offering many options but also raising concerns about manipulations and intrusions. Emotions Online explores the visions that shape responses to media and the emotional regimes that govern engagements with them, critically examining evidence on the role of digital media in emotional life. It reveals the dynamics of online emotional regimes and the emotional labours of many people, including social media influencers and content moderators. The book provides an invaluable overview of the evidence and debates on the role of digital media in emotional life and guidance for future research, policy, and action.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Digital media have permeated our lives, eliciting a range of hopes and fears regarding their potential benefits and drawbacks. While the internet, mobile phones, and social media platforms provide users with numerous options, they also raise concerns about their manipulation and invasiveness. Emotions Online delves into the visions that shape our responses to media and the emotional regimes that govern our engagements with them. This book critically examines evidence regarding the role of digital media in emotional life, offering a sociological perspective and drawing from ideas in science and technology studies, media studies, and sociology.

The book explores several key dimensions and operations within the online emotional economy. It examines the concerns surrounding online harms and abuse, particularly towards children. It also explores the emergence of "deepfakes" and other forms of image-based abuse, highlighting the potential risks and consequences they pose. Furthermore, the book explores the role of hope in shaping online behaviors and the concept of "digital well-being" as a market-driven approach to managing emotions in the digital age.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted perceptions of digital media and Big Tech companies. The book examines the impacts of the pandemic on our emotional lives and the challenges it has posed to centralized control of the internet. It raises questions about the implications of these developments for the future of emotional life and the potential for new forms of regulation and intervention.

Emotions Online makes groundbreaking contributions to the sociological study of digital media and emotions. It sheds light on the dynamics of online emotional regimes, revealing how deceptive designs and algorithm-driven technologies are employed to attract and engage users. The book also emphasizes the emotional labor involved in maintaining the online ecosystem, including the contributions of social media influencers and content moderators who contribute to the perception of intelligence and sophistication on the internet.

The book provides an invaluable overview of the evidence and debates surrounding the role of digital media in emotional life. It offers insights into the potential risks and benefits associated with digital media use and provides guidance for future research, policy, and action. By examining the emotional dimensions of our interactions with digital media, Emotions Online contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between technology, society, and the human experience.

Weight: 353g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367706654