PureConnect: Localized Social Media System for Environmental Justice Communities

Centrala begrepp

Developing PureConnect to increase awareness and social connectedness in environmental justice communities impacted by construction projects.

Sammanfattning

The study introduces PureConnect, a localized social media system designed to address the concerns of environmental justice communities affected by major construction projects. The system aims to raise awareness about project activities and enhance social connectedness among community members. Through focus groups and app deployments, the study evaluates the impact of PureConnect on community well-being. Key findings include positive user feedback, increased engagement with reduced channels, and improved sentiments correlating with system usage.
Structure:

Introduction to Environmental Justice Communities' Challenges

Disruptions from highway constructions impact well-being.
Focus on uncertainty, stress, and loss of social connectedness.

Development of PureConnect System

Purpose: Increase awareness and improve social connectedness.
Design: Slack workspace with specific channels for communication.

Deployment and Evaluation of PureConnect

Cohort 3: Initial deployment with multiple channels.
Cohort 4: Revised deployment with reduced channels for clarity.

User Interactions Analysis

Increased interactions in Cohort 4 indicate improved engagement.

Sentiment Analysis of User Messages

Positive sentiments prevail despite discussing challenging issues.

Correlation between PureConnect Usage and Well-Being

Positive correlation between system usage and positive feelings.

Survey Results on PureConnect Effectiveness

Users report increased awareness, connectivity, and satisfaction with PureConnect.

Statistik

"PureConnect has been deployed among 14 users in Cohort 3 (October-December 2022)..."
"Overall goal of SJEQ-Denver is to understand & mitigate negative impacts of C70 construction project..."
"Feedback from participants was overall positive, especially in the second cohort..."
"Average easiness slightly increased in Cohort 4 (0.53 to 0.63) after reducing the number of channels..."

Citat

"I am passionate about air quality, community, and I am excited to be a part of this study!"
"Hi all, happy to be a part of the study. Hope we can get Suncor shut down!"

Viktiga insikter från

PureConnect

by Omar Hammad,... på arxiv.org 03-22-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.14038.pdf

Djupare frågor

How can local social media systems like PureConnect contribute to enhancing community well-being beyond environmental justice contexts?

Local social media systems like PureConnect can contribute to enhancing community well-being in various ways beyond environmental justice contexts. Firstly, these platforms provide a space for community members to connect, share information, and support each other, fostering a sense of belonging and social cohesion. This connectedness can lead to increased feelings of support and reduce isolation within the community.
Secondly, by facilitating communication and collaboration among residents, local social media systems can empower individuals to address common challenges collectively. Whether it's organizing events, sharing resources, or advocating for change, these platforms enable communities to work together towards shared goals that benefit everyone.
Moreover, local social media systems often serve as a valuable source of information about local events, services, and opportunities. By keeping residents informed and engaged with their surroundings, these platforms help build a stronger sense of community identity and pride.
Overall, the use of localized social media systems like PureConnect can create a more connected and informed community that is better equipped to address various issues affecting its members' well-being.

What potential challenges or criticisms might arise regarding the use of localized social media systems like PureConnect in addressing community issues?

While localized social media systems offer many benefits for communities, there are also potential challenges and criticisms associated with their use:

Digital Divide: Not all community members may have access to or be comfortable using technology-based platforms like PureConnect. This could exacerbate existing inequalities within the community if certain groups are left out of important conversations due to lack of digital literacy or access.

Privacy Concerns: Sharing personal information on online platforms raises privacy concerns for some users. There may be worries about data security breaches or misuse of personal data by platform providers or third parties.

Echo Chambers: Localized social media systems run the risk of creating echo chambers where users only interact with those who share similar views or experiences. This could limit exposure to diverse perspectives within the community.

Moderation Challenges: Managing user-generated content on these platforms requires effective moderation strategies to prevent misinformation spreading or harmful behavior occurring unchecked.

Community Divisions: In some cases, discussions on localized social media platforms can lead to conflicts within the community if not managed carefully. Differences in opinions or misunderstandings online could spill over into real-life tensions.

How can insights from studies on local social media systems be applied to broader societal challenges related to connectivity and well-being?

Insights from studies on local social media systems offer valuable lessons that can be applied more broadly across society:

Building Community Resilience: Understanding how local communities utilize digital tools for connection highlights the importance of building resilience through strong networks during times of crisis at both micro (local) and macro (national/international) levels.

Promoting Social Capital: Insights into how people engage with each other online locally shed light on strategies for promoting trust-building activities at larger scales which foster greater civic engagement across diverse populations.

Enhancing Accessible Communication Channels: Lessons learned from designing inclusive communication channels in localized settings inform efforts aimed at improving accessibility in digital spaces for marginalized groups globally.

Addressing Digital Inclusion: Recognizing barriers faced by certain segments when using technology underscores the need for policies promoting digital inclusion initiatives worldwide.

Mitigating Disinformation: Strategies developed based on understanding user behaviors in managing misinformation locally translate into effective approaches combating disinformation campaigns impacting societies globally.