Navigating Surveillance Discourse: Virtual Space, Childhood, and Contrasting Representations of Online Safety

• Main Author: Inskip-Lavoie, Ashley
• Other Authors: Farmer, Diane
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Surveillance Discourse; Social Network; Sociology of Childhood; Communication; 0710; 0628; 0518
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/43992

This project looked at two different sets of data to further understand the relationship between surveillance discourse and the Internet, how surveillance discourse around navigating the Internet has developed, and how children use social technology and digital media for positive communication as well as an alternative space for social engagement. This project argues that there is a disconnect between the way children use social technology, and the approach authoritative websites take in aiming to educate parents, educators, and children on using the Internet safely. This study performs a thematic content analysis on websites that aim to educate on Internet Safety. Additionally, this qualitative study focuses on semi-structured interviews with grade 4-6 students in a French language school in Western Ontario and their reaction to the question, “how do you use technology”. This project is a stepping-stone into many conversations around the possibilities present for the Internet, children, and communication.