Overview

In today's digital societies, parenting is shaped by algorithms daily in search engines, social media, kids' entertainment, the news and more. But how much are parents aware of the algorithms shaping their parenting and daily lives? How can they prepare for children's futures in a world dominated by data, algorithms, automation and AI? This groundbreaking study of 30 English families sheds light on parents' hopes and fears, their experiences with algorithms in searching, sharing and consuming news and information, and their awareness and knowledge of algorithms at large. Looking beyond tech skills and media panics, this book is an essential read for social scientists, policy-makers and general readers seeking to understand parenting in datafied societies.

Full Product Details

9781529241020

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""From the Internet of Toys to Instagram, algorithms are (re)shaping children’s media experiences. How parents understand, interpret and marshal algorithms is a critical issue that Professor Ranjana Das engages with in this timely and insightful book. A must-read for parents, educators and policy makers."" Sun Sun Lim, Singapore Management University ""It’s hard enough to bring up a child, but today’s parents must also second-guess, and try to harness, the influence of the many algorithms that shape their access to information, news and social support. Delving into the everyday lives of diverse families, Ranjana Das shows how parents talking algorithms is linked to agency, anxiety and hopes for the future."" Sonia Livingstone, London School of Economics and Digital Futures for Children Centre ""In this multifaceted analysis, Ranjana Das shows how parents work to broker, however imperfectly, between their children’s needs and a present and future that are increasingly algorithmic. The importance of her intervention is deepened by her keen eye to the inequities parents are facing in integrating this aspect of the digital into their childrearing."" Vikki Katz, Chapman University and Journal of Children and Media"

Author Information

Ranjana Das is Professor in Media and Communication at the University of Surrey.

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