An Instagram Hashtag Fostering Science Education of Vulnerable Groups during the Pandemic

Lídia Puigvert, Beatriz Villarejo-Carballido, Regina Gairal-Casadó, Aitor Gómez, Paula Cañaveras and Teresa Sordé Martí
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Lídia Puigvert: Department of Sociology, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Barcelona, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Beatriz Villarejo-Carballido: Department of Theory and History of Education, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Regina Gairal-Casadó: Department of Pedagogy, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, Rovira i Virgili University, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
Aitor Gómez: Department of Pedagogy, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, Rovira i Virgili University, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
Paula Cañaveras: Department of Sociology, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Barcelona, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Teresa Sordé Martí: Department of Sociology, Faculty of Political Science and Sociology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-11

Abstract: Scientific literature presents young people as a vulnerable group at risk of poverty and social exclusion. One of the elements that have the most significant impact on reducing their vulnerability is promoting education. Little is known about how social networks can promote the education of young people. To address this, the present study aims to analyse how social networks, specifically Instagram, which is one of the most used by young people, has promoted, among other aspects, the scientific education of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyses 5000 education-related Instagram posts made during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2021) European research project ALLINTERACT. We have analysed those posts that show, on the one hand, how citizens benefit from scientific research and, on the other hand, citizens’ awareness of the impact of scientific research. Through the analysis of the posts, it has been observed how Instagram has been a social network that has provided information and scientific advances in various branches of knowledge, created knowledge networks, and provided a channel for information about the pandemic. Through the analysis of the 5000 posts, it is evident how Instagram has provided spaces for scientific learning, fostering access to scientific education for young people.

Keywords: Instagram; science education; vulnerable groups; pandemic; young people (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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