,,,,,,,,,Digital Media, Youth, and Credibility

Digital Media, Youth, and Credibility


 

Publication Date: December 2007

Publisher: MIT Press

Author(s): Fred W. Weingarten; S. Shyam Sundar; Soo Young Rieh; R. David Lankes; Frances Jacobson Harris; Brian Hilligoss; Gunther Eysenbach; Matthew S. Eastin; Andrew J. Flanagin; Miriam J. Metzger

Research Area: Social conditions

Keywords: Digital generation; New media literacies; Digital youth; Digital education

Type: Book

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Today we have access to an almost inconceivably vast amount of information, from sources that are increasingly portable, accessible, and interactive. The Internet and the explosion of digital media content have made more information available from more sources to more people than at any other time in human history. This brings an infinite number of opportunities for learning, social connection, and entertainment. But at the same time, the origin of information, its quality, and its veracity are often difficult to assess. This volume addresses the issue of credibility - the objective and subjective components that make information believable - in the contemporary media environment.

The contributors look particularly at youth audiences and experiences, considering the implications of wide access and the questionable credibility of information for youth and learning. They discuss such topics as the credibility of health information online, how to teach credibility assessment, and public policy solutions. Much research has been done on credibility and new media, but little of it focuses on users younger than college students. Digital Media, Youth, and Credibility fills this gap in the literature.