Media and Processes of Identity Formation in the Context of Migration

In a highly industrialized and media-saturated country like Switzerland children of all origins are strong multimedia users. Switzerland has one of the highest proportions of migrants in Europe: About 20,5 percent of the population are of migrant origin. So far, media research in Switzerland focussing on children and young people has paid no special attention to the extent the cultural background may influence the media use, i.e. whether the media play a specific function in processes of identity-formation for these children. More detailed and qualified information on this topic is of interest when faced with the fact that the social background is still one of the key determinants of a successful career in our society. This paper will discuss first findings of a project focussing on the impact of the cultural background on the media use of children with a migrant background in Switzerland.In a highly industrialized and media-saturated country like Switzerland children of all origins are strong multimedia users. Switzerland has one of the highest proportions of migrants in Europe: About 20,5 percent of the population are of migrant origin. So far, media research in Switzerland focussing on children and young people has paid no special attention to the extent the cultural background may influence the media use, i.e. whether the media play a specific function in processes of identity-formation for these children. More detailed and qualified information on this topic is of interest when faced with the fact that the social background is still one of the key determinants of a successful career in our society. This paper will discuss first findings of a project focussing on the impact of the cultural background on the media use of children with a migrant background in Switzerland