Screen Technology & Bribri Indigenous Adolescents in Costa Rica

Purpose

A two-year study (2024-2025) examining the impact of screen technology (e.g., cellphones, computers) and media usage (e.g., gaming, social media) on the ethnic identity and well-being of indigenous Bribri adolescents in rural Talamanca (Costa Rica). This study will focus on four villages: Bribri, Shiroles, Amubri, and Sepecue, each with varying degrees of access to modern technology.

Link to the 2024 Itinerary of Research Project

Project Photos:

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The research site: Talamanca. Since his first year of graduate school, Dr. Baldelomar has been conducting research on the Bribri adolescents in Talamanca. Most of his studies in this region focus on the link between social change and ethnic identity development.

Research Preparations (May 7-9, 2024). Dr. Baldelomar visited the Talamanca high schools to make preparations for the new study.

Videos about the Bribris of Talamanca

A recent documentary filmed in Talamanca about the Bribris' culture.

Oscar Almengor, a Bribri educator and leader, introduces Dr. Baldelomar to present the purpose of his most recent study on the effects screen technology on Bribri adolescents' sociocultural development (Spanish language).