Bristol University Press
2 Quests
Abstract
This chapter explores how parents navigate and interpret opaque and constantly evolving search algorithms, as they seek information, advice and support online. The chapter examines how parents make sense of, manage, and work within or against search algorithms across various platforms, positioning these as relational, rather than individual practices. Using several examples, the chapter illustrates how parents interpret search results and rankings, and how these interpretations function within the broader contexts of family, domestic labour, parenting cultures, and societal norms. The chapter speaks about engaging with search and search algorithms as a relational task, embedded in parents’ daily routines and interactions. It discusses how parents perceive the credibility and sequencing of search results, sometimes naturalising and personifying algorithms in their talk. The chapter argues that parents’ negotiation of search algorithms is a relational interpretative practice, involving complex interplays between commercial influences, family life, parenting cultures, platform power, and parents’ agency, however ephemeral, as users.
Abstract
This chapter explores how parents navigate and interpret opaque and constantly evolving search algorithms, as they seek information, advice and support online. The chapter examines how parents make sense of, manage, and work within or against search algorithms across various platforms, positioning these as relational, rather than individual practices. Using several examples, the chapter illustrates how parents interpret search results and rankings, and how these interpretations function within the broader contexts of family, domestic labour, parenting cultures, and societal norms. The chapter speaks about engaging with search and search algorithms as a relational task, embedded in parents’ daily routines and interactions. It discusses how parents perceive the credibility and sequencing of search results, sometimes naturalising and personifying algorithms in their talk. The chapter argues that parents’ negotiation of search algorithms is a relational interpretative practice, involving complex interplays between commercial influences, family life, parenting cultures, platform power, and parents’ agency, however ephemeral, as users.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- About the Author vi
- Acknowledgements vii
- Introducing Parents Talking Algorithms 1
- Quests 24
- Curation 46
- Understandings 65
- News 83
- Literacies 102
- Tomorrows 126
- Attending to Parents Talking Algorithms 142
- References 159
- Index 181
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- About the Author vi
- Acknowledgements vii
- Introducing Parents Talking Algorithms 1
- Quests 24
- Curation 46
- Understandings 65
- News 83
- Literacies 102
- Tomorrows 126
- Attending to Parents Talking Algorithms 142
- References 159
- Index 181
