The ‘Politics’ of Responsible Social Media Use in Universities: Cautionary Tales for Student Experience?

Barker, Kim and Jurasz, Olga (2023). The ‘Politics’ of Responsible Social Media Use in Universities: Cautionary Tales for Student Experience? In: Siliquini-Cinelli, Luca and Giddens, Thomas eds. Biopolitics and Structure in Legal Education. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, pp. 223–238.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003175193-17

Abstract

Recent studies identify harassment and hate crime as serious problems affecting student experiences. This chapter presents analysis from surveys undertaken by current students, together with an examination of harassment policies from higher education institutions in England, Wales, and Scotland. The analysis illustrates that there is significant room for improvement in the ways in which the higher education sector addresses the phenomena. This chapter offers illuminating insights into student perceptions on social media use and harassment, and – uniquely – maps this to the relevant institutional policies.

This chapter brings together original data (collated through surveys) and theoretical perspectives to critique the politics of responsible social media use in higher education environments. It addresses a gap in current knowledge by examining the nature and the effects of online social media abuse and online hate crimes on students and the student experience in higher education. The nature of abuse experienced by higher education students alongside its impact is considered here from the perspectives of inclusion and exclusion, before the chapter offers some thoughts on the necessary rethinking of the education environment – and structures – to fully encompass the notion of inclusivity.

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