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Technology, privacy, and digital citizenship: A critical analysis of Facebook as an educational resource
THESIS

, McGill University , Canada

McGill University . Awarded

Abstract

From an educational perspective, social networking sites have received ambiguous reviews. By some they are criticized for posing personal risks while others applaud their rich learning opportunities. In either case, solutions to risks of engagement tend to focus on matters of use. Eliciting critical theory of technology, this study reorients this focus to the politics of technological design. The purpose of this study was to generate insights with respect to what a critical analysis of the Facebook social networking site might yield for citizenship education. Based on a single embedded case study, the results demonstrate how commercial values underlie the site's design where a narrow definition of privacy informs practices that favour corporate interests and undermine privacy as a social good. It calls for educational practices that equip young citizens to question the technologies with which they engage and democratically participate in shaping technologies that might better reflect the public interest.

Citation

Mackie, S. Technology, privacy, and digital citizenship: A critical analysis of Facebook as an educational resource. Master's thesis, McGill University. Retrieved March 19, 2024 from .

This record was imported from ProQuest on October 23, 2013. [Original Record]

Citation reproduced with permission of ProQuest LLC.

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Keywords