Exploring the D/discourses Around Financial Literacy on Reddit

• In Event: Cognition and Literacy Using Digital Tools and Platforms

Abstract

Financial literacy is an important skill for people’s everyday lives. Apart from formal educational initiatives, the growth of online networked spaces and communities allows for informal and self-directed learning around personal finances. In this paper we examine how individuals engage in informal knowledge sharing around financial literacy on Reddit, an online discussion community. Using Gee’s (1989) notion of D and d discourses, we examine how people engage reason about financial literacy within a sociocultural context. We analyzed 207 posts from a help thread on Reddit and found that users engaged in sharing knowledge, especially giving opinions, and extending perspectives. We also found two primary Discourses around saving and debt reduction and two discourses around comfort with risk and personal learning.

Authors

• Priya Sharma, Pennsylvania State University
  Presenting Author

• Jose Sandoval-Llanos, Pennsylvania State University
  Presenting Author