Digital Engagement Research Articles

Contesting the framing of digital risk: An analysis of Australian children’s experiences

ABSTRACT Children’s social lives are mediated increasingly by digital tools, thereby making new modes of home-school-world relationships possible. In this context, children’s digital out-of-school social practices continue to be associated with risk. Children are construed as an “at risk” and vulnerable population by adults who frame children’s everyday digital social life with ambivalence. This framing is used to justify imposition of constraints in the present, with children’s digital engagement a key site of regulation. The study we report here problematises research that separates risk from children’s digital social participation. To challenge dominant views of children being vulnerable to risk, we use Actor Network Theory to provide a nuanced exposition of concepts of “digital risk” and agentic self, relevant to children’s digital social lives. From the findings of the present study, involving 62 10–11-year-old children in 3 Australian schools, we argue that “digital risk” framing of children’s social lives underplays children’s agency and voice in digital environments. Additionally, what is missing in the framing of digital risk is recognition that children utilise digital tools to ameliorate non-digital risk. In other words, risk is not only digital; and there is more to digital participation than risk.

Conceptualising the People's Parliament Approach in the Parliament of Malaysia

This study explores the Parliament of Malaysia’s transition towards a more public-friendly institution, part of a global trend towards transparent and people-centric parliamentary processes. Utilising 16 articles from the Inter-parliamentary Union’s Public Engagement Hub and additional literature, the research compares Malaysia’s initiatives with those of the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand. The analysis focuses on public engagement strategies such as public broadcasting of sessions, committee hearings, public visits, research services, and the potential for a parliamentary budget office and petition systems. Findings indicate Malaysia’s progress in some areas, like public broadcasting and committee hearings, while identifying gaps in others, like interactive visitor experiences and comprehensive digital engagement. The study highlights the challenge of balancing security with accessibility, especially under legal frameworks like the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959 (Act 298). Recommendations include enhancing the Parliament’s virtual tour and establishing a more engaging visitor centre. The study concludes that while Malaysia has made commendable strides in public engagement, there are opportunities for improvement, particularly in areas requiring substantial legal and structural changes. This study contributes to understanding the dynamics of public engagement in parliamentary processes, underscoring the significance of a People’s Parliament spirit in democratic governance.

Not ready to make nice: Congressional candidates’ emotional appeals on Twitter

AbstractObjectiveCongressional candidates use digital platforms to bolster and define their political reputation, and political stalemates over inflation, reproductive rights, and the lasting impact of Trump politics are fueling candidates’ emotionally charged rhetoric on Twitter, especially for women. Against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's presidency and the #MeToo movement, previous research has shown that women running for Congress are leading with angry rhetoric on Twitter. In this article, we ask whether anger is a persistent feature of women's digital appeals on Twitter over time.MethodUsing a data set of tweets by candidates for the U.S. House from 2016 to 2022, we highlight the escalating anger in the emotional appeals candidates make on Twitter and the resiliency of angry rhetoric as a modern feature of political Twitter.ResultsWe find that women, most notably Democratic candidates, are more likely to convey angry emotions on Twitter, not only matching male colleagues but defying gendered social stereotypes to turn frustration into a valuable political asset. Across the four last congressional elections, women have averaged more angry words in their digital appeals, with that anger as a consistent facet of how women engage online. Women are leaning into angry emotional appeals and adopting a negative appeal in their digital engagement that highlights their policy and political frustrations for voters.

Impact of Digital Evolution on Customer Relationship Strategies in the Banking Sector

Digital evolution in the banking sector refers to the integration and development of digital innovations, such as internet banking, mobile applications, AI, and data analytics in banking operations and customer service measures. The research examines the influence of digital development on customer interaction strategies in the banking sector. As banks increasingly adopt digital tools to meet customer expectations for convenience and personalized services, the dynamics of customer relationships are changing. The study purpose is to understand how digital transformation influences customer engagement, satisfaction, loyalty and challenges banks face in maintaining personalized interactions in a digital environment. The study looks into a number of factors, including digital engagement, customer satisfaction, service personalization, customer loyalty, service accessibility, trust and security. The study involves 600 banking customers filling out a questionnaire after being informed about the purpose of the survey. SPSS was employed to conduct various statistics tests such as, pearson correlation, chi square, and t-test the obtain data and variables. The result indicates a positive correlation between the adoption of digital banking solutions and increased customer engagement. Research results underscore the importance of continued investment in a digital technologies to maintain a competitive edge in the banking industry. Banks that effectively integrate digital tools into their customer relationship management practices are better positioned to evolving requirement of customers, leading to improved satisfaction and loyalty.

Community Building in the Digital Age: Fostering Brand Loyalty

This study examines the interplay of brand loyalty, community building, digital engagement, and consumer engagement within PT. ISAM (Industri Susu Alam Murni), a dairy company. Using a quantitative research approach and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Smart PLS as the analytical tool, data from 100 consumers were analyzed to assess direct and indirect effects among these variables. The findings reveal that while community building efforts showed no significant direct impact on brand loyalty, digital engagement significantly influences consumer engagement, which in turn positively affects brand loyalty. These results underscore the critical role of effective digital strategies in fostering consumer participation and advocacy, thereby enhancing brand loyalty in the competitive dairy industry landscape. The study contributes insights that can guide strategic decision-making and marketing efforts aimed at cultivating stronger brand-consumer relationships and improving market positioning for PT. ISAM and similar companies in the dairy sector.

The authenticity advantage: How influencer authenticity management strategies shape digital engagement with sponsored videos

Platforms, marketers, and video influencers aim to increase user engagement with sponsored videos. Whereas some video influencers effectively incorporate commercial content into their videos and drive digital engagement, others do not. What makes some sponsored videos more effective than others? Drawing upon the literature on authenticity and persuasion knowledge, this study identifies video influencers’ authenticity management strategies and examines how they interact with influencer characteristics in shaping digital engagement. Specifically, this work examines the role of information disclosure and passion expression in driving digital engagement and investigates the moderating role of influencer competence and influencer–brand fit. Based on 675 sponsored videos from Bilibili, the results reveal that two-sided messages, sponsorship disclosure, brand love passion, and self-identity construction positively drive digital engagement. Furthermore, influencers’ competence enhances the effects of two-sided messages, and sponsorship disclosure on digital engagement and influencer–brand fit decreases the effect of self-identity construction on digital engagement. These findings shed light on how authenticity management strategies shape responses to influencer-sponsored content and deepen the understanding regarding the drivers of digital engagement.

Pengembangan Game Edukasi Doa Islam: Desain Arsitektur dan Implementasi

The development of educational games has become increasingly important in this modern era, particularly in addressing the challenges of engaging the younger generation in religious education. This paper presents the architectural design and implementation of an educational game focused on Islamic prayers. By leveraging technologies such as Unity for game development, Next.js for frontend web development, and Express.js for backend server functions, coupled with Supabase for efficient database management, this game offers a deep and interactive learning experience. The game's storyline encompasses various stages where players navigate scenarios related to Islamic prayers, earning rewards and knowledge along the way. Through comprehensive user analysis and iterative testing, the game aims to bridge the gap between traditional religious education and modern digital engagement. Integration of real-time performance parameters, such as call speed averaging below 30ms, ensures continuous improvement in game functionality and user experience, thereby enhancing the game's effectiveness as a learning tool. Overall, this research contributes to the advancement of educational gaming in the context of Islamic education, providing insights into effective strategies for engaging and educating young audiences in religious practices..

Cross-sectional analysis of healthcare worker mental health and utilisation of a digital mental health platform from 2020 to 2023

BackgroundHealthcare worker (HCW) anxiety and depression worsened during the pandemic, prompting the expansion of digital mental health platforms as potential solutions offering online assessments, access to resources and counselling. The...

Family Social Work Interventions Model To Promote Family Cohesion Among The Users Of Social Media In Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya

In the rapidly evolving digital age, social media has become an integral part of daily life, significantly influencing family dynamics and cohesion. This study explored the impact of social media on family cohesion and examined possible family social work intervention models to promote family unity among users in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Utilizing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the research gathered quantitative data through surveys of 400 respondents and qualitative insights from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The findings revealed that 72.1% of participants supported the establishment of clear boundaries and rules around social media use to enhance family cohesion, with a mean score of 3.84. Additionally, 70.3% agreed that regular family activities strengthened family bonds, while 68.8% acknowledged the positive impact of family therapy on communication within social media-using families. The study also found strong support for educational initiatives on healthy social media use, with 71.3% of respondents endorsing their effectiveness. Hypothesis testing confirmed a significant relationship between family social work interventions and improved family cohesion, evidenced by a Pearson correlation coefficient of .648 and a significant chi-square result (p < .001). The study concludes that structured social work interventions, such as setting boundaries, promoting family activities, and providing education, are crucial in maintaining family cohesion in the context of increasing social media usage. These findings offer valuable insights for social work practitioners, policymakers, and families seeking to balance digital engagement with family unity

Digital Democracy in India: How Social Media Shapes Political Narratives?

Social media has significantly impacted the landscape of Indian electoral politics, transforming the dynamics of political campaigning and voter engagement. The adoption of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Instagram in Indian political campaigns represents a fundamental shift in how political messages are crafted and disseminated. The 2014, 2019, and 2024 general elections highlight the strategic role of these platforms in shaping electoral outcomes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has employed social media not only as a tool for broadcasting campaign messages but also for creating interactive, data-driven strategies that personalize voter engagement. This paper examines the multifaceted impact of social media on Indian politics, including its influence on voter behaviour, campaign strategies, and public opinion. It explores both the empowering aspects of digital engagement and the challenges, such as misinformation, echo chambers, and algorithmic biases. The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how social media has redefined political communication and its implications for democratic processes in India.

Boosting beach clean-up participation through community resilience hypothetical scenarios

Engaging coastal communities in beach clean-up initiatives is crucial for the sustainability of marine ecosystems and the support of the blue economy. This study aims to examine the influence of various resilience attributes on community willingness to participate in these activities. It uses choice experiment framework to test three distinct scenarios: (1) cultural recycling education, (2) social media task force, and (3) resilience debris recovery. The study surveyed 647 valid samples from metropolitan Bali, Indonesia to assess their preferences across these scenarios. Advanced econometric models, specifically the Random Parameter Logit (RPL) and Latent Class Model (LCM), were used to analyze the data. The results indicate that integrating cultural and digital engagement strategies can significantly enhance community participation in beach clean-ups, providing a model that can be applied in various coastal regions. Each scenario improves community engagement by aligning beach clean-up efforts with broader economic and cultural dynamics.

Embracing telepharmacy: Unveiling Malaysians' perceptions and knowledge through online survey.

The expansion of information technologies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has notably increased the use of remote services, including telehealth. Telepharmacy, a subset of telehealth, offers remote pharmaceutical care services, benefiting patients by providing advice and consultations without the need for physical pharmacy visits. This study aimed to assess public perceptions and awareness of telepharmacy in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from Nov 2022 to May 2023, involving 387 Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above. Data collection utilised Google Forms distributed via social medias, covering demographics, technological readiness, awareness, perceptions, and willingness related to telepharmacy. The study demonstrated high digital readiness among respondents, owning smartphones and being adept in utilising various digital features. However, there was a lack of awareness regarding the concept of telepharmacy. Despite predominantly positive perceptions of its potential, only 48.1% of respondents showed willingness to utilise telepharmacy services. While respondents exhibited readiness for digital engagement, there was a notable deficit in understanding telepharmacy. Though perceptions were positive, willingness to embrace telepharmacy was moderate. Addressing the knowledge gap through targeted education initiatives might enhance acceptance. Future research should focus on integrating telepharmacy into healthcare systems considering public preferences, thereby evaluating its actual implementation and outcomes among diverse demographics.

Marketing to Gen Z: Understanding the Preferences and Behaviors of Next Generation

Marketing to Generation Z requires a keen understanding of their unique preferences and behaviors shaped by their digital upbringing. Born between 1997 and 2012, this generation is characterized by its deep integration with technology and social media, making digital engagement a cornerstone of effective marketing strategies. They are most active on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, where short-form, visually engaging content and viral trends drive their attention. Gen Z values authenticity and transparency, favoring brands that offer genuine storytelling and user-generated content over traditional advertising. They also prioritize diversity and inclusion, seeking brands that reflect a broad spectrum of identities and promote a sense of belonging. Furthermore, social and environmental issues are crucial; Gen Z is drawn to brands that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility through ethical practices. Lastly, they respond positively to personalized and interactive marketing, appreciating brands that offer customized experiences and engage directly through real-time feedback. By aligning with these characteristics, marketers can forge meaningful connections with Gen Z, driving engagement and fostering brand loyalty in today's dynamic digital landscape.

#Freebritney: strategies of counternarratives and self-regulation in digital feminist counterpublics

ABSTRACT The conservatorship of Britney Spears represented a legal arrangement that placed multiple restrictions on the celebrity’s autonomy. The conservatorship also became the center of an activist movement that demanded a restoration of her rights, commonly known as #FreeBritney. Since 2009, this primarily online group has worked to raise awareness of and bring an end to Spears’ conservatorship, an objective that was ultimately achieved in 2021. Through a thematic analysis of interviews with self-identified #FreeBritney activists, we analyze this movement as a digital feminist counterpublic through two key themes: 1) #FreeBritney’s central mechanism of generating counternarratives about Britney Spears’ conservatorship and 2) its self-regulating structure. Taken together, these themes surface #FreeBritney’s feminist values, specifically regarding its attention to representation, narrative, and non-hierarchical organization practices. We argue that #FreeBritney poses compelling questions about key tensions at the intersection of fandom, digital activism, and feminist media theory. By positioning #FreeBritney as a digital feminist counterpublic that achieved its main goals, we interrogate the multifaceted nature of digital engagements with feminism, building on important work in internet, media, and feminist studies.

Investigation of nursing students' addiction to digital game play and associated factors

AimsIt was conducted to investigate digital gaming addiction among nursing students and the associated factors of such addiction.MethodsThe descriptive and relationship-seeking study's universe included 1665 nursing students in three universities' nursing faculties and departments. The sample size was determined to be 774 based on a power analysis with a type I error rate of 0.05, a power of the test of 0.80 (α = 0.05, 1-β = 0.80), and an effect size of d = 0.10. Student Information Form, The Digital Game Addiction Scale (DGAS-7), and the Digital Game Playing Motivation Scale (DGPMS) were used to collect student information. Data analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis H test, Spearman correlation, and Binary Logistic Regression Model.ResultsIt was found that 83.7% of the students were female, and the mean age and BMI were 20.03 ± 1.72 years and 21.98 ± 2.90 kg/m2, respectively. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the students' Digital Game Addiction Scale and Digital Game Playing Motivation Scale Achievement and Energizing (r = 0.717), Curiosity and Social Acceptance (r = 0.612), and Uncertainty in Game Desire (r = -0.110) sub-dimensions mean scores (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe relationship between nursing students' digital game addiction, game playing motivation, and several individual characteristics affecting digital games was found. The study's results call for further research to focus on developing and testing interventions that could effectively reduce gaming addiction while enhancing positive aspects of digital engagement among nursing students.

Evaluation and optimization of intelligent recommendation system performance with cloud resource automation compatibility

This paper comprehensively explores the integration of cloud computing and advanced recommendation systems, emphasizing their pivotal roles in enhancing user experiences and operational efficiencies across digital platforms. It reviews the evolution of recommendation algorithms, highlighting their application in diverse domains such as e-commerce and media. The study evaluates the performance of advanced models like UniLLMRec against traditional counterparts using datasets from news and e-commerce domains. Additionally, the paper discusses the infrastructure architecture of cloud computing, demonstrating its capability to support scalable and efficient data processing. Through experimental insights and methodology, the research underscores the transformative impact of cloud technologies on optimizing recommendation system performance, thereby advancing digital engagement and competitiveness.

Cognitive functioning and sustained internet use amid the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal evidence from older adults in Switzerland

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pre-pandemic objective and subjective cognitive functioning and sustained Internet use during the pandemic among older adults in Switzerland. Data from 1299 respondents of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) in 2019/2020 and a supplementary technology use questionnaire during the pandemic in 2021 were used. Cognitive functioning was assessed in 2019/2020 through objective measures (delayed and immediate memory, verbal fluency) and self-rated memory. Sustained Internet use was defined as having used the Internet at least once in the past seven days in 2019/2020 and reporting daily or weekly use in 2021. We found that 73.1% of respondents consistently used Internet between 2019/2020 and 2021. Using multivariable probit regression models controlling for sociodemographic and health variables, we found that higher global cognition z-scores, especially in immediate and delayed memory, were associated with a higher likelihood of sustained Internet use. Additionally, respondents with good, very good, or excellent self-rated memory were more likely to sustain their Internet use. These findings highlight the potential critical role of cognitive health in shaping older adults’ digital engagement, suggesting that cognitive assessments and training should be further considered in digital literacy initiatives for this population.

A genetically informed study of digital screen time, video game play, and impulsivity in established adulthood

High levels of digital screen time are associated with heightened impulsivity, though the assumption that this relationship is causal has seldom been rigorously examined. Moreover, the nature of this association may vary across life stages. Adults in established adulthood (ages 30–45) often face increased career and family commitments, which may impact leisure activities and the relationship between screen time and impulsivity. This study examined the association between digital screen time, video game play, and facets of impulsivity (i.e., perseverance, premeditation, and urgency) in adults in established adulthood using a multi-method approach, including a genetically-informed co-twin design. By comparing within-twin pair differences in screen time and impulsivity, the co-twin approach controls for genetic and environmental confounding, providing a quasi-experimental design. The sample included 1289 participants (Mage = 33.46, %Female = 52.75%, Ntwins = 704) from the Colorado Adoption/Twin Study of Lifespan behavioral development and cognitive aging (CATSLife). After controlling for adolescent impulsivity, phenotypic analysis found that digital screen time was positively associated with higher levels of urgency and lack of perseverance. Co-twin control analysis showed that the association between digital screen time and urgency persisted within twin pairs, suggesting that shared familial and genetic factors may not fully explain the relationship. Video game play did not show consistent associations with impulsivity. These findings suggest that the immediacy and rapid succession of stimuli in digital screen engagement could be associated with impulsive tendencies in established adulthood, independent of video game play. The study underscores the need for nuanced examination to understand the interplay between digital engagement and impulsivity in this unique life stage.

Introduction to the Special Issue on the 39th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies: Scalable strategies to address the impact of trauma worldwide.

This editorial summary provides an overview of the 39th annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) held from November 1-4, 2023. The meeting, themed "Scalable Strategies to Address the Impact of Trauma Worldwide: Innovations and Implementation," encouraged presenters to focus on the scalability of traumatic stress research and practice. The articles presented at the meeting, which form this issue, cover a broad spectrum of topics, from basic biological mechanisms to innovative digital engagement to population-wide treatments. These articles emphasize eliminating biases in research design and psychiatric practice, promoting health equity, and addressing the unique challenges of traumatic stress. This summary underscores the importance of scalability in developing flexible, dynamic, and inclusive mental health care interventions.

Relationships between digital engagement and the mental health of older adults: Evidence from China.

Based on the theory of socio-emotional selectivity, this study examines the effect of digital engagement on the mental health of older individuals using data from the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). The results show that digital engagement has a significant effect on the mental health of older individuals, manifested by a decline in depression and an enhancement of cognitive abilities. The results are robust by Using instrumental variables to solve endogenous problem and the propensity score matching method to solve selective bias. The analysis of heterogeneity demonstrates that digital engagement can significantly reduce the depression level of older people without chronic diseases and at lower ages and promote the cognitive ability of older adults without chronic diseases and older adults of higher ages. Mechanistic analysis shows that digital engagement can reduce depression in older adults by alleviating loneliness and improving emotional well-being and cognitive performance by enhancing social support. Therefore, digital engagement gives older people a more positive emotional experience and more social support and thereby improves mental health, delivering proactive answers to the problems an aging population brings.