Browsing by Subject "digitaaliset ympäristöt"

In Finland, discussions about racism have previously focused on whether racism exists in our society at all. During 2023, conversations around the topic have increased due to the new government. In August, the Finnish government published a statement to Parliament on promoting equality, gender equality and non-discrimination in Finnish society. Various interest groups have also organized protests against racism. Perceptions about the definition of racism differ and some recognize only its open forms. However, research has shown, how different forms of racism have an effect in our society and on opportunities individuals have and on their wellbeing. Racism in digital environments has not been studied much and those studies rarely focus on how racism affects its targets. In home economics, the focus has been on multiculturality, diversity and cultural sustainability, but aspects of racism and discrimination have not been studied much. The aim of this Master’s Thesis is to find out what kind of studies about experiences of racism in digital environments have been conducted, what racism in digital environments is like and what kind of coping mechanisms individuals use when experiencing racism. The aim is to increase the knowledge and understanding about the forms of racism in digital environments. By increasing knowledge, it is possible to increase home economic teachers’ antiracist competence. This Master’s Thesis is a descriptive literature review. The studies included are analyzed with content analysis. The results showed that methods used in studies reviewed were unilateral and in all of them the data was collected only through interviews. Studies focused on social media platforms and mainly open forms of racism were recognized. The different coping mechanisms that were identified were divided in to five categories which are avoiding, desensitization, peer support, intervention and entitlement. More research about the topic is required and variety of methods should be utilized to collect data. Also, other platforms, in addition to social media and online games, should be studied. More information about covert forms of racism in digital environments is necessary, as results of this study imply that racism present in digital environments is mainly open. Coping mechanisms of individuals experiencing racism indicate that they do not feel they have the tools to oppose racism in digital environments.