Cohort: SOMET 38°
Topic of the thesis: The impact of algorithms on teenagers online agency, in particular on the role of the algorithm literacy in the interaction between youths and recommendation systems.

Abstract: Nowadays, teenagers' socialization processes take place within environments mediated by recommendation algorithms exerting power on users' online agency. Algorithm literacy is therefore fundamental to enhance digital experiences and, as such, the unequal access to said knowledge might foster digital inequalities. Yet, research on that issue is widespread across different literatures and presents relevant gaps regarding teenager. The current proposal is hence aimed at systematically conceptualizing algorithm literacy and exploring which aspects affect teenagers in building such knowledge. The methodology employed is based on a mixed-method approach structured into two phases to investigate algorithm literacy from bottom up and top-down perspectives. In particular, the former is retrieved from interviews and digital ethnography, while the latter through the analysis of before-and-after effects of a field study based on algorithm education initiative. Results are expected to underline algorithm literacy from a sociological perspective to furtherly explore teenagers' agency towards algorithms.

Research interests: Sociology of Algorithms, Critical Algorithm Studies, Digital Society, Digital Divide Studies, Digital Methods.

Graduated from: University of Milan (both BA and MA)

Degrees obtained:Public and Corporate Communication (MA) Liberal Studies in Communication (BA)

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