Care within or out of reach
Fantasies of care and connectivity in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23213113 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Earvin Charles Cabalquinto (0000-0001-7269-0184), Tanja Ahlin (0000-0002-2374-5326) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Pages | 344-361 |
| Publication date | 2021-09-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | CHAPTER |
| Venue | Viral Loads (SOURCE_BOOK) |
| Publisher | UCL Press (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.2307/j.ctv1j13zb3.24 |
| OpenAlex | W3199787621 |
| ISBN | 9781800080232 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become an integral part of contemporary society.They are fundamental in forging and sustaining everyday interactions, as mobile phones and online channels enable a sense of co-presence (Licoppe 2004; Baldassar et al. 2016), intimacy (Vincent and Fortunati 2009) and care practices (Ahlin 2018) across geographic distances.Individuals can choose from a range of mobile devices, online channels and mobile applications, which give shape to different polymedia environments (Madianou and Miller 2012).With the COVID-19 pandemic, smartphones, social media channels and a wide range of mobile applications have served as lifelines.As the ongoing health crisis constrains people's movements and social interactions because of distancing requirements, travel bans and lockdowns, ICTs have been key to sustaining relationships in already networked societies.During the COVID-19 pandemic, global technology corporations have adopted the language of care to promote digital connectivity.For instance, Facebook launched its spectrum of care-themed reactions, and thematic 'we are all in this together' stickers have been embedded in Facebook Messenger.Instagram, also run by Facebook, introduced a sticker signalling the call to 'stay at home' to encourage people to selfisolate and practise social distancing.The impulse and imperative to care crystallised in the form of a 'care emoji', a smiley face hugging a heart, launched by Facebook in April 2020.Such digital objects reflect one of the many ways through which online platforms highlight virtual connection as a form of self and social care.
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1,67 |
| Citation span | 2023 - 2026 (4) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |