This study aimed to draw together the international and national scholarly literature and New Zealand expert knowledge on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and families. It is hoped that this document will usefully inform the work of the Families Commission in the area of ICTs.
Twelve key informants including academics, consultants, government advisors, and researchers were asked about new ICTs and families. They were asked about the opportunities and risks, issues unique to New Zealand families and for suggestions on directions for future research.
This report was prepared for the Families Commission's Blue Skies Fund by Dr Ann Weatherall and Annabel Ramsay, School of Psychology, Victoria University.
Methodology
A total of 12 interviews with key stakeholders were conducted. These were New Zealanders with established expert reputations in the area. Initially, participants recruited included NetSafe, the Computers in Homes project and the Ministry of Economic Development. A snowball sampling technique was used to identify other key informants. That is, participants were asked to make recommendations for further participants. One suggestion that we were unable to realise was an interview with a representative from SeniorNet, an organisation that supports older adults’ use of ICT.
The research was approved by the Ethics Committee at the School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington. All participants agreed to be named and consented to having their comments attributed to them.