Youth Perspectives on Tech in Schools: From Mobile Devices to Restrictions and Monitoring

18 Pages Posted: 15 Jan 2014

See all articles by Sandra Cortesi

Sandra Cortesi

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Paulina Haduong

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Urs Gasser

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Osman Aricak

Harvard University-Berkman Center for Internet & Society

Mark Saldaña

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Zach Lerner

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Date Written: January 15, 2014

Abstract

This research brief is a contribution by the Youth and Media team at the Berkman Center to its Student Privacy Initiative, which seeks to explore the opportunities and challenges that may arise as educational institutions adopt cloud computing technologies. In order to understand the implications of cloud services for student privacy more holistically, it might be helpful to examine how technology that is already implemented in academic contexts is used by youth and to explore how students feel about current practices. Towards this goal and informed by our recent research, the brief aims to make visible the youth perspective regarding the use of digital technology in the academic context, with focus on privacy-relevant youth practices, limitations on access to information, and youth’s relation to educators in a high-tech environment. The brief includes insights and quotes gathered through a series of in-person focus groups as well as data from a questionnaire administered to all focus group participants. In addition, it highlights in a few instances additional research and data.

The overarching study was conducted by the Youth and Media team between February and August 2013. The team conducted 30 focus group interviews with a total of 203 participants across the greater Boston area, Chicago, Greensboro (North Carolina), Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. Each focus group lasted 90 minutes, including the 15-minute questionnaire, consisting of 20 multiple-choice questions and one open-ended response. Although the research sample was not designed to constitute representative cross-sections of particular populations, the sample includes participants from diverse ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds. Participants ranged in age from 11 to 19. The mean age of participants is 14.8 (SD=1.96).

Suggested Citation

Cortesi, Sandra and Haduong, Paulina and Gasser, Urs and Aricak, Osman and Saldaña, Mark and Lerner, Zach, Youth Perspectives on Tech in Schools: From Mobile Devices to Restrictions and Monitoring (January 15, 2014). Berkman Center Research Publication No. 2014-3, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2378590 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2378590

Sandra Cortesi (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Paulina Haduong

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Urs Gasser

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

HOME PAGE: https://cyber.harvard.edu/people/ugasser

Osman Aricak

Harvard University-Berkman Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Mark Saldaña

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Zach Lerner

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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