Born digital

Of course many people tend to focus too much on the negative side of a new phenomenon such as the internet, and to some extent this book seems to take that point of view. To start the book with chapters, on Identities, Dossiers, Privacy and Safety seemed overly negative. After that there is more of a balance, interspersing chapters on Creators, Quality, Innovators, Learners and Activists with chapters on Piracy, Overload and Aggressors.

I felt in a way that the authors didn't do themselves justice - the tone of the book is of worried parents who see cyberspace as an unknown and so dangerous place, but the extensive notes show that the authors have in fact gone much deeper into the questions they address. If you're looking for in depth case studies of the experiences of young people with the internet then I would give this book a miss. On the other hand, if you want a general overview of some of the problems and benefits of the digital world then you might like to give this book a try.