Understanding Local Community Attachment, Engagement and Social Support Networks Mediated by Mobile Technology

Understanding the impacts and consequences of information and communications technology in local communities through theoretical and practical approaches has long been studied. Among different types of technologies, mobile technology suggests new opportunities for community informatics because a gro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Interacting with computers 2016-05, Vol.28 (3), p.220-237
Main Authors: Han, Kyungsik, Shih, Patrick C., Beth Rosson, Mary, Carroll, John M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attachment
Barriers
Communities
Community participation
Cultural resources
Digital
Networks
Smartphones
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Summary:Understanding the impacts and consequences of information and communications technology in local communities through theoretical and practical approaches has long been studied. Among different types of technologies, mobile technology suggests new opportunities for community informatics because a growing number of people across different age groups have adopted smartphones, which have become an indispensable part of people's daily lives. Because mobile technology transcends the limitations of time and place, it expands the ways of accessing and interacting with local community information and lowers the barrier to participation. In this paper, we present our ongoing initiatives in community informatics including digital cultural heritage and local volunteer efforts mediated by mobile technology. We highlight how mobile technology, together with increased mobility, immediacy and social presence, shows a significant influence on local communities with respect to community identity, awareness and participation and also social support networks.
ISSN:0953-5438
1873-7951
DOI:10.1093/iwc/iwu040