Assisting information practice: from information intermediary to digital proxy

Introduction. Dependence on social media and other online systems as part of everyday life has grown considerably over the years. At the same time, the complexity and security of online systems has been increasing, making it more challenging for some people to access the services they need. This impacts the information practices of many users, leading to several scenarios where individuals need assistance in information related tasks, from registering for government services to updating social media content. This poster presents a summary of findings from two qualitative studies and serves as the initial foundation for a larger investigation related to digital proxies.
Method. Different methods of investigation were used for each of the two studies. Study One used a combination of interviews and focus groups to determine how social media accounts are managed by and for older adults through the use of digital proxies. Study Two considered a series of scenarios in a workshop with information professionals and volunteers offering digital proxy services to older and vulnerable adults.
Analysis. A narrative analysis of data was undertaken from each study independently. The results of these were then considered in tandem to determine patterns of information practices between the digital proxy roles in different contexts.
Results. This work confirmed that digital proxies assist older and vulnerable adults in the use of social media and other online platforms, and that proxy roles are undertaken by a range of actors including information professionals, care workers, volunteers, and family members.
Conclusion. This work provides a foundation in theorising the role of digital proxies from an information science perspective whilst providing a roadmap for future research in this vital area.