Browsing by Author "Runnel, Pille"

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    The transformation of the Internet usage practices in Estonia
    (2009-11-16T09:00:39Z) Runnel, Pille
    The thesis focuses on Estonia’s shift towards the information society. It asks what role is played by the information and communication technologies in transforming the structures of global information society into the everyday life of Estonian society and how are people involved in those changes. In what ways are people, especially the younger generation attached to the new techno-social environment and practices related to it? How have the people taken up the ICTs and how do they make sense of the given situation? Are they taken with by the dominance of new technological regime, or are they active agents in change? The thesis takes a look upon Internet content consumption and production: how it has evolved in the context of transition society and what are the main factors behind it. Out of major domains of ICT-related user agency - participation and civic engagement; education, learning and literacy; creativity; identity and social connection, in the context of the transition society, participation and content creation activities stand out as particularly significant. Thus, a special emphasis has been put upon the user’s content production practices and participatory practices as part of people’s Internet use. The study also approaches the question of democratic development and ICTs in Estonia. Empirical findings support the belief that infrastructural development brings with it the advancement of usage practices only to a certain extent. Current patterns of Internet usage show that mostly such consumption-oriented opportunities as information search and e-services were picked up by users. This was followed by a stage where usage also incorporated private-life centred communication, entertainment and content creation activities. This stage of more creative and participatory online activities relied on the support of the structure and, more strongly, on user agency, and was part of the usage practices of the minority of users. From this stage, it is possible to move to a higher level, where the agential praxis of users is the main driving factor: this stage encompasses the practices of social networking and community-based initiatives, and represents the new, digitally mediated public space.
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