Problematizing 'New Media' : Culturally Based Perceptions of Cell Phones, Computers, and the Internet among U.S. Latinos

Recent studies of new communication technologies have shown that broad terms such as "new media" are problematic. This study expands previous research by exploring how first-generation, working class U.S. Latino participants perceive and use new communication technologies in relation to their cultural values. Discussions generated across seven focus group sessions (N = 78) about three common new communication technologies, 1) cell phones; 2) computers; and 3) the Internet, showed that U.S. Latinos positioned the perceived usefulness of each communication technology differently based on their cultural values of good communication. In particular, participants discussed how cell phones provide an effective way to make interpersonal contact whereas computers and the Internet were viewed as damaging to the communication necessary for good social relations. The findings show that this group of U.S. Latinos did not view "new media" as a homogeneous category, but instead participants had very distinct perceptions and ideas about the expected uses of cell phones, computers, and the Internet in relation to their cultural values regarding communication