Social sorting in Europe: Self-censorship in a digital asylum

BackgroundDigital technology is an increasing feature of social care practice, and its use has accelerated greatly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess social care practitioners’ experiences of delivering digital interventions to vulnerable children and families during the pandemic.MethodsA mixed methods study combining survey and qualitative research was conducted. In total, 102 social care practitioners working in the Republic of Ireland who delivered a range of digital social care support took part in a web-based survey. This survey captured practitioners’ engagement and experiences of delivering digital social care interventions to children and families as well as training and capacity building needs. Subsequently, 19 focus groups with 106 social care practitioners working with children and families were also conducted. These focus groups were directed by a topic guide and explored in more depth practitioners’ perceptions of digital social care practice, the perceived impact of digital technology on their work with children and families, and the future application of digital social care interventions.ResultsThe survey findings revealed that 52.9% (54/102) and 45.1% (46/102) of practitioners, respectively, felt “confident” and “comfortable” engaging in digital service delivery. The vast majority of practitioners (93/102, 91.2%) identified maintaining connection during the pandemic as a benefit of digital social care practice; approximately three-quarters of practitioners (74/102, 72.5%) felt that digital social care practice offered service users “increased access and flexibility”; however, a similar proportion of practitioners (70/102, 68.6%) identified inadequate home environments (eg, lack of privacy) during service provision as a barrier to digital social care practice. More than half of the practitioners (54/102, 52.9%) identified poor Wi-Fi or device access as a challenge to child and family engagement with digital social care. In total, 68.6% (70/102) of practitioners felt that they needed further training on the use of digital platforms for service delivery. Thematic analysis of qualitative (focus group) data revealed 3 overarching themes: perceived advantages and disadvantages for service users, practitioners’ challenges in working with children and families through digital technologies, and practitioners’ personal challenges and training needs.ConclusionsThese findings shed light on practitioners’ experiences of delivering digital child and family social care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both benefits and challenges within the delivery of digital social care support as well as conflicting findings across the experiences of practitioners were identified. The implications of these findings for the development of therapeutic practitioner–service user relationships through digital practice as well as confidentiality and safeguarding are discussed. Training and support needs for the future implementation of digital social care interventions are also outlined.

I. Introduction The East Asian crisis was remarkable for its rapid spread, its severity, and for generally catching unaware international investors, governments, and societies at large. It has severely tested the existing surveillance mechanisms in Southeast Asia and found them wanting. Thus, one of the key policy initiatives agreed upon by authorities in Southeast Asia, in the soul-searching that inevitably followed the onset of the crisis, was to call for enhanced surveillance for the region,(1) More concretely, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) surveillance process was formally established in late 1997 as a collective response to the financial crisis. The ASEAN surveillance and monitoring mechanism occupies pride of place as the primary regional institution to oversee the task of crisis prevention. By institutionalizing the process of consultation and early warning to spot impending shocks, it is hoped that future crisis could either be averted, or that its costs are mitigated if ever one occurs. For these reasons, the initiative has been endorsed at the highest political levels in ASEAN. This article reviews the case for surveillance and monitoring in Southeast Asia, highlights the merits and limitations of the ASEAN surveillance and monitoring mechanism, and suggests ways for the surveillance mechanism to proceed in the context of the lessons learned from the regional financial crisis of 1997. II. The Case for a Regional Surveillance and Monitoring Mechanism A standard argument for international economic co-operation is that international financial and economic stability is a public good.(2) All countries benefit from a stable financial environment regardless of whether they contributed to it. But it also means that a country can easily disregard the potential negative spillover effects it can create, if it adopts unsustainable policies in pursuit of certain national objectives. As Crockett (1987) emphasizes, international co-operation in surveillance is important to the extent that it helps national authorities internalize the spillover effects in their decision-making processes. Partly for this reason, various international institutions such as the G7 or the European Union (EU) have institutionalized regular policy consultations to exchange views on the economic policies of members, and occasionally to engage in coordinated intervention when speculative pressures threaten financial market stability. Surveillance is routinely carried out by different institutions and at different levels. National surveillance is ordinarily the purview of central banks or specific agencies in the Ministries of Finance. A multilateral agency such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on the other hand, carries out its surveillance activities on bilateral and multilateral levels. Bilateral surveillance refers to the Article IV consultations with individual member economies, whereas multilateral surveillance pertains to the systematic analysis (including identification of risk factors) and forecasting of the world economy, of which the IMF's Worm Economic Outlook and International Capital Market Report are the main vehicles. Private companies, such as credit rating agencies, also perform surveillance when they make country risk assessments in the course of assigning sovereign ratings. Specialized global institutions such as the Institute of International Finance (IIF) monitor capital flows and assess investment risks in emerging markets. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) holds regular consultations among central bank governors on matters affecting financial stability. A review of current surveillance mechanisms reveals active work on the levels of global and national surveillance. In contrast, there were few monitoring activities at the regional level in Asia prior to the crisis.(3) Of course, there was no perceived need for such a mechanism at that time. …

Academic3 space in its different manifestations has been taking an honorable position in social structure from the earliest stages of the history of human civilization by systematizing multitude experiences of both external and internal world of humankind. At the same time, educational landscape was formulating the different ways of how to theorize about and interact with the world. Simultaneously, there was always combating with the alternative systems and, what is more, this struggle wasn’t necessarily intellectual or polemical. Little has changed in how society perceives academy and its functions in the era of accomplished digital revolution, including its role as an instrument of surveillance and social sorting – these two important elements of power. In this article, an attempt is taken to comprehend University – and speaking broadly academic space as such – as a special kind of social and political field used to perform surveillance and social control. On the example of colonial colleges in the USA, this article examines how University may serve as a surveillance mechanism on the one hand and as a mean of cultural transformation on the other hand, and what conclusions can be made regarding the present and the future of University in the digital era.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), which uses electromagnetic radio waves to automatically identify people, animals, or objects, has become perhaps the most pervasive computing technology in history. First, this chapter provides an historical overview of the literature pertaining to the emergence of RFID and its evolving system components. Secondly, the chapter examines RFID’s numerous practical applications as a mechanism for global surveillance in the Internet of Things (IoT). Next, the chapter undertakes a theoretical analysis of the significance RFID technology plays in the globalization of surveillance. RFID, as an emerging crime control technology, is geared towards global post-panoptic surveillance, panoptic social sorting, the responsibilization of citizens, and new forms of “people-making” culture in coordination with the aims of the global pre-crime society. Lastly, the chapter concludes with a critique related to the liberty, privacy, and citizenship concerns of RFID implementation and human chipping.

This conclusion summarizes key insights from the former chapters, and highlights political dimensions of media use in digital everyday life. I particularly underline how our more digital everyday lives intensify communicative dilemmas, in which individuals in everyday settings negotiate with societal norms and power structures through their uses of media technologies. I also discuss how everyday media use connects us to different societal spheres and issues, also pointing to global challenges such as the pandemic and the climate crisis, arguing that everyday media use is key to our understandings of society. I discuss how to analyze this in media use research, emphasizing attention to processes of change and disruption.

This article provides an overview of the collection and uses of data in relation to European border regimes. We analyse the significance of these developments for the governance of refugee populations and make the case that within the current policy context of European border control, data functions to systematically stigmatize, exclude and oppress ‘unwanted’ migrant populations through mechanisms of criminalisation, identification, and social sorting. This, we argue, highlights the need to engage with data politics in a way that considers both the politics in data as well as the politics of data, highlighting the agendas and interests that advance the implementation of these technologies, privileging justice concerns on terms that go beyond techno-legal solutions, and positioning those who are most impacted by developments at the forefront of discussions.

Unemployment is one of great problems of modern society, especially in transition countries. This problem usually affects persons younger than 15-30 years, which is why it is necessary to create adequate employment policy. This paper presents a qualitative study which aimed at gaining an insight into types of support the Country offers to young unemployed persons, ways they respond to what is offered to them, and propositions for improvement of support for the unemployed. The study includes an expert interview with the coordinator of the Centre for informing, counselling and training of the Zenica-Doboj Canton. Qualitative data analysis was used. The results show that the Country tries to help the youth with various projects and employment strategies, that young unemployed persons are mainly passive in job search, and recommendations for improvement of the current situation are also presented. Another problem is a lack of money and passive attitude towards job search of young people that have unemployment benefits. Keywords: qualitative study, young unemployed people, active job search, public support system

Devletlerin oluşturduğu göç temalı yasalar sonucunda suni bir kavram olarak yasa dışı göç doğmuş ve göç meselesi zamanla güvenlik kapsamına alınmaya başlanmıştır. Arap ayaklanmaları ve Suriye İç Savaşı sonrası yaşanan gelişmeler ise göçün güvenlikleştirilmesini yoğunlaştırmıştır. Bu bağlamda artan güvenlik merkezli politikalar, 2015’te Akdeniz’de yoğunlukta olan yasa dışı göçleri insani trajediye dönüştürmüştür. Ekonomik ve sosyal gelişmişlik düzeyi sebebiyle göçmenler için hedef bölge olarak beliren Avrupa Birliği’nin güvenlik eğilimli tutumunda ısrarcı olması krizi daha dramatik hâle getirmiştir. Birlik hem güvenlik hem de göçmen krizini yönetebilmek için üye devletler arasında yeni uygulamaların benimsenmesini sağlamaya çalışmıştır. Fakat bu politikalar kısa vadeli çözümler üretebilmiş ve üçüncü ülkelerle iş birliği stratejisi çerçevesinde oluşturulmuştur. Avrupa Birliğin’in göç konusunu dışsallaştırma tutumu, göç akımına direkt sınırı olan Türkiye’yi dışsal uygulayıcı ülke olarak Birlik nezdinde önemli bir partnere dönüştürmüştür. Göçmenler tarafından hem hedef hem de transit ülke olarak görülen Türkiye, krizin yönetimi için müzakere süreci kapsamında Birliğin ilgili müktesebatına uyum sağlamayı hızlandırmış ve Birlik ile iş birliği faaliyetlerine başlamıştır. Ancak süreç içerisinde Birliğin güvenlik öncelikli yaklaşımından taviz vermemesi, Türkiye’nin ise açık kapı politikasındaki ısrarını sürdürmesi aktörler arasındaki farklılıkların derinleşmesine yol açmıştır. Yasa dışı göçü kavramsal çerçeveye oturtan bu çalışmanın temel amacı, Birlik ile Türkiye’nin yasa dışı göçe ilişkin yaklaşım farklılıklarını özellikle Arap Ayaklanmaları ve Suriye İç Savaşı gelişmelerine odaklanarak analiz etmektir. Yöntem olarak literatürün birincil ve ikincil kaynaklarına başvuran çalışma, Türkiye’de yasa dışı göçle mücadele uygulamalarına Birliğin önemli katkı yaptığını fakat Türkiye’nin son dönemde daha hissedilir olan güvenlik öncelikli Kale Avrupası yaklaşımından zamanla farklı tutum sergilediği sonucuna ulaşmıştır.

BackgroundThe Indonesian National AIDS report reveals that the percentage of HIV cases in the country is significantly higher in men compared to women, which is contrary to global AIDS data. Using a conceptual model of how social networks impact health, this paper describes how structural conditions, such as poverty, lack of job opportunities, and lack of income shaped the social networks of Indonesian men. It also describes how these social networks created opportunities for various social mechanisms, including social influence, peer pressure, and intimate contact, that facilitated HIV infection through different behavioural pathways, such as unprotected sex with multiple partners and injecting drug use (IDU) practices.MethodsA qualitative design using face-to-face in-depth interviews was employed to collect data from heterosexual male participants (n = 25) in Yogyakarta municipality and Belu district, Indonesia. Participants were former labour migrants and previously or currently (at the time of the study) motorbike taxi (ojek) drivers. They were recruited using the snowball sampling technique, starting from two HIV clinics in the study settings. Data were analysed thematically guided by a qualitative data analysis framework.ResultsThe findings highlight the significance of structural conditions, such as poverty, poor family conditions, precarious employment, and lack of income, which contributed to shaping the men’s social networks through their occupations as labour migrants and ojekdrivers. Involvement in these occupations allowed them to become acquainted with fellow labour migrants and ojek drivers, leading to cohabitation in the same shelters or areas and daily interactions, which fostered the development of social networks among them. These social networks then provided opportunities for various social mechanisms, including social influence through peer pressure and person-to-person contact. The influence and pressure experienced by the participants were reflected in their behaviours related to sex, condom use, and IDU, ultimately contributing to the transmission of HIV among them.ConclusionsThe findings underscore the importance of social network peer interventions that consider the dynamics of these networks. Such interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing HIV-risk behaviours and transmission, as well as in promoting HIV prevention and treatment among diverse population groups.

The issue of migration is one of the most important challenges facing the European Union. In this regard the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) and the Mediterranean region are of particular importance to the Union as they both, in a number of cases, function as transit countries for immigrants from different parts of the world and as countries of origin. However, apparently, the pressures of migration are perceived differently in relation to the Mediterranean Non-Member Countries (MNMCs) than in relation to the CEECs, although this has not resulted in two different strategies as such. Until now, European immigration policy has always been based upon the implementation of restrictive measures, contributing to the construction of what has been described as ‘Fortress Europe’.

This paper explores the variability of linguistic analysis terms and their reception in everyday life, focusing on how specialized terminology influences communication and understanding among different social groups. Linguistic analysis terms often originate from academic discourse, where they serve precise functions within theoretical frameworks. However, when these terms permeate everyday language, their meanings can shift, leading to varying interpretations among individuals with different levels of familiarity with the concepts. This variability can create barriers to effective communication, as individuals may struggle to grasp the intended meaning of terms that have been adapted or simplified in casual contexts. Through qualitative analysis of conversational data and interviews, this study examines how these terms are employed in daily interactions and the extent to which they are understood by non-experts. It highlights the role of context in shaping comprehension and the impact of educational background on the reception of linguistic analysis terminology. Furthermore, the paper discusses the implications of this variability for language education, suggesting that greater awareness of these dynamics can enhance teaching strategies and improve communication across diverse audiences. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of adapting linguistic analysis terms for broader accessibility, advocating for a more inclusive approach to language that acknowledges the fluidity of meaning in everyday use. Understanding how these terms are received in everyday life is crucial for fostering effective communication and bridging the gap between academic linguistics and public discourse.

This article explores the role of nostalgia as a motivation for retro sewing and the ways in which nostalgia shapes the practices of retro sewing. Retro sewers circumvent typical models of clothing consumption by opting out of the commercial fashion cycle, and instead creating clothing for everyday use that replicates or is inspired by styles from the past. As such, the practice of retro sewing is inextricably linked to one or more of the many forms of nostalgia. Previous studies on consumers and nostalgia have not considered the full breadth of how consumers interact with nostalgia. This article explains what types of nostalgia motivate the practice of retro sewing, using qualitative analysis of interview data collected as part of a larger study. Forms of nostalgia that motivate retro sewers include both connecting with the past and using the past in the present. Retro sewing is often motivated by an interest in history and personal nostalgia for childhood and family. Some retro sewers would like to live in the past, whereas others prefer to enjoy past fashions in the present. Retro sewers value aspects of the past as useful tools in the present; they collect and consume vintage items, maintain knowledge, refer to history as a guide for the present and future, and use and reinterpret aesthetics of the past in their clothing. Methods used in designing and sewing retro clothing vary depending on which types of nostalgia are most salient for the retro sewer for any given project.

This book explores how the complex scenario of platforms, practices and content in the contemporary digital landscape is shaping participatory cultures of health and illness. The everyday use of digital and social media platforms has major implications for the production, seeking and sharing of health information, and raises important questions about health peer support, power relations, trust, privacy and knowledge. To address these questions, this book navigates contemporary forms of participation that develop through mundane digital practices, like tweeting about the latest pandemic news or keeping track of our daily runs with Fitbit or Strava. In doing so, it explores both radical activist practices and more ordinary forms of participation that can gradually lead to social and/or cultural changes in how we understand and experience health and illness. While drawing upon digital media studies and the sociology of health and illness, this book offers theoretical and methodological insights from a decade of empirical research of health-related digital practices that span from digital health advocacy to illness-focused social media uses. Accessible and engaging, this book is ideal for scholars and students interested in digital media, digital activism, health advocacy and digital health.

Epidemiological data on HIV seroprevalence has been essential in assessing the (future) extent of the AIDS epidemic. By coupling these data with quantifiable variables related to injection drug use (frequency of injecting, number of needle sharing partners) specific 'risk behaviors' could be determined, accounting for the rapid spread of the virus in the injecting drug user (IDU) population. Yet, such data give little information on the social mechanisms and setting generating such risk behaviors. In order to understand the transmission of HIV among the IDU population one needs to study the micro settings and social context of drug use. This paper describes and explores certain patterns of drug use, sharing, and natural support systems found amongst IDUs in two very different cities, Rotterdam (The Netherlands) and the Bronx, New York City (USA). By specifying details of the micro-settings of everyday drug use in both locales, it is possible to identify certain common elements and consequences of personal and social behavior driven by drug use per se (e.g. drug preference), and to differentiate these from behaviors and consequences determined by drug policy and the social context in which drug use actually occurs. These policies and the social context they create can in turn be shown to relate to risks for HIV transmission, e.g. the increased likelihood of sharing injection equipment. A more careful ethnographic approach, taking advantage of natural experimental opportunities, comparisons and controls, may be utilized to examine drug-related behaviors in their social context and to better assess their relevance to public health--especially to AIDS.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontal disease are two highly prevalent, directly and independently associated long-term conditions that disproportionately impact Indigenous Māori in New Zealand (NZ). Although poorly understood, a number of social and biological mechanisms connect these conditions. This qualitative study explored experiences of T2DM and oral and dental (hereafter oral/dental) health; access to oral/dental health care; whether participants' experiences supported or challenged existing evidence; and sought suggestions for improving oral/dental health in a high-deprivation rural area of Northland, NZ. Participants (n=33) meeting the study criteria: self-identified Māori ethnicity, aged≥18-years with glycated haemoglobin (HBA1c) >65mmol/L were recruited via the local primary care clinic in September-December 2015; two left the study prior to data collection. During face-to-face semi-structured interviews, participants (n=31) were asked How does diabetes affect your teeth? and When did you last access dental care? Kaupapa Māori (KM) theory and methodology provided an important decolonizing lens to critically analyse the fundamental causes of Indigenous health inequities. Independent analysis of qualitative data by three KM researchers identified four themes: access barriers to quality care; pathways to edentulism; the 'cost' of edentulism; and, unmet need. Results contributed towards informing Mana Tū-an evidence-based KM programme for diabetes in primary care-to be introduced in this and other communities from 2018. Oral health is integral to diabetes management, and vice versa. Subsidized specialist referrals for oral-dental health care for Māori with T2DM could improve glycaemic control and diabetes outcomes and reduce diabetes-related complications among this population.