Cultivating a Self-Centered Sociality?: A Reconstruction of the Structural Features of Everyday Digital Interaction between Young People

Abstract

The present study uses texting interactions from different digital contexts to reconstruct the structural features of everyday digital interaction between young people in order to examine the socializing tendencies of growing up in the digital age. Secondly, it will be reflected which of these characteristics is cultivated by the structure of the digital communication platforms, that is, stimulated and encouraged by the architecture of the platforms. Third, in order to further differentiate this question, it is considered in a cultural-historical perspective which technically cultured structures of interaction build on and promote long-lasting cultural tendencies. Finally, all three focuses on the impact of these interaction structures and tendencies on the experience, attitude and development of adolescents.