Online Communities and Early Adolescents
Online Communities and Early Adolescents

Author(s): Hana Macháčková
Subject(s): Media studies, Behaviorism, ICT Information and Communications Technologies, Identity of Collectives
Published by: Masarykova univerzita nakladatelství
Keywords: online communities; online and offline interaction; early adolescence;
Summary/Abstract: The chapter focuses on the role of online communities in the lives of early adolescents. This developmental stage is typical for many changes, including identity development as well as the expansion of social life beyond family boundaries. Children gain new experiences in new social groups, which introduce them to diverse attitudes, opinions, and behavioral patterns. Currently, one of these new groups can take the form of an online community (i.e., a group of people who regularly interact in a specific place on the internet). In the chapter, current knowledge about online communities is reviewed and processes by which online communities may affect children’s development are described. Specific focus is given to the form of interaction with community members: whether it is only online, partly offline, or mostly offline.

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