Abstract

To fully understand the impact and significance of the Internet, it is essential to consider its historical, societal, and cultural contexts. This Handbook presents a wide range of original essays by established scholars in the field of Internet studies exploring the role of the internet in modern societies, and the continuing development of its academic study.

Presenting a range of standpoints intended to provide both introductory and more sophisticated frameworks for understanding the many areas of Internet research, the collection explores the history of the Internet, the Internet and society (including such topics as community, networks, law, identity, and politics), and the Internet and culture (including the media connection, news, entertainment, Web 2.0 and social media).

Within each section, individual chapters provide in-depth analysis of current research, debates and questions being raised in that particular sub-area. Chapters point to major findings in the area, as well as challenges and questions that the sub-area is currently grappling with. Concluding with a discussion of the future of the internet, the as yet unrealized potentials of current Internet-related technologies, and the impact of possible future technologies within both the developed and developing worlds, the Handbook of Internet Studies is thought-provoking and insightful reading for both students and researchers in the field.