Sponsored by the Communication, Information Technologies, and Media Sociology section of the American Sociological Association (CITAMS), Volume 19 of Emerald Studies in Media and Communications draws on global case studies that examine media use by millennials. By bringing together contributors and case studies from four continents to examine millennial digital media practices, the volume charts out multiple dimensions of Gen Y’s digital media engagements: smartphone use among Israelis, the activities of Brazilian youths in LAN houses, selfies in the New Zealand context, and American millennials engaged in a variety of digital pursuits ranging from seeking employment, to content creation, to gaming, to consuming news and political content. Through these case studies we see parallels in the mediated millennial experience across key digital venues including Twitter and YouTube, and MMOs. None-the-less, contributors also prompt us to keep in mind the importance of those millennials without equal access to resources who must rely on public venues such as libraries and LAN Houses. Across these venues and arenas of practice, the research provides an important collection of research shedding important light on the first generation growing up with the normative expectation to perform digital identity work, create visual culture, and engage in the digital public sphere.
Jeremy SchulzResearcher, Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, UC Berkeley, USA
Laura RobinsonAssociate Professor, Department of Sociology, Santa Clara University, USA
Aneka Khilnani, Candidate M.D., The George Washington University, USA
John BaldwinProfessor, School of Communication, Illinois State University, USA
Heloisa PaitAssistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, São Paulo State University-Marilia, Brazil
Apryl A. WilliamsFellow, Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University USA
Jenny DavisLecturer, School of Sociology, The Australian National University, Australia
Gabe IgnatowProfessor and Graduate Director, Department of Sociology, University of North Texas, USA
Jeremy SchulzResearcher, Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, UC Berkeley, USAÂ
Laura RobinsonAssociate Professor, Department of Sociology, Santa Clara University, USAÂ
Aneka Khilnani, Candidate M.D., The George Washington University, USAÂ
John BaldwinProfessor, School of Communication, Illinois State University, USAÂ
Heloisa PaitAssistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, São Paulo State University-Marilia, BrazilÂ
Apryl A. WilliamsFellow, Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University USAÂ
Jenny DavisLecturer, School of Sociology, The Australian National University, AustraliaÂ
Gabe IgnatowProfessor and Graduate Director, Department of Sociology, University of North Texas, USA
