Digital norm and spelling competence of adolescents in vulnerable contexts: a case study

Abstract

This research article examines the relationship between spelling competence and digital competence in students of compulsory secondary education in vulnerable settings. A case study was conducted comparing two secondary education centres in areas in need of social transformation with two centres without social integration problems. The sample consisted of 126 students aged 14 to 16 years, intentionally selected. The results indicate that there are no significant differences in the relationship between academic spelling and the use of textisms in digital communication in both types of centres. It is concluded that digital writing does not harm the academic spelling of adolescents, regardless of their environment. However, students in centres in areas with social transformation needs exhibit a differentiated use of the digital norm: They use fewer lexical, semantic, and multimodal textisms and commit a greater number of spelling errors. These findings emphasise the need to address spelling and digital competence differently in the educational context for students, depending on the context in which they live and study.

Keywords:
Textisms; WhatsApp; Digital Communication; Areas with social transformation needs; Vulnerable contexts