New Realities
How to Develop Global Citizens via Duolingo: A Narrative Inquiry of International Students from Asian Countries Enrolled in the US Universities
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Yihang Li,
Nancy Xu
One of the primary ways that people practice global citizenship is by becoming proficient in multiple languages.With the rapid development of digital technology, language learning applications have become increasingly popular among language learners in recent years. A growing body of research suggests that these applications can be helpful for developing language learners’ cognitive, social-emotional and behavioral competency. Duolingo is a particularly well-known and popular language learning application. Compared to predominant English-only pedagogical approaches, Duolingo provides more options of language learning to people around the world. People can learn languages with Duolngo in a more flexible and efficient way. However, little research has examined how Duolingo can not only support language learning in a limited sense(cognitive), but also help people gain the transcultural fluencies that form the basis of global citizenship.This study examines how international graduate students from East Asian countries, considered to be part of the Global South, use Duolingo to learn foreign languages in ways that challenge English-only ideologies. To be more specific, the study employs narrative inquiry to explore how Duolingo can help to develop future Global Citizens. In In this study, we address the following research questions: 1. What do Asian international students enrolled at a Southern California university learn from Duolingo? 2. How does Duolingo help shape Asian international students enrolled at a South California university to develop and sustain global citizenship through cognitive, social-emotional and behavioral competencies?
Regulating Dark Patterns: Legal Challenges and Policy Responses
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Pratiksha Ashok
Dark patterns—deceptive digital design practices that manipulate consumer behavior—have drawn increasing regulatory scrutiny within the European Union. While frameworks such as the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Services Act (DSA), and the AI Act address various aspects of consumer protection and online fairness, the effectiveness of these regulations in curbing dark patterns remains uncertain. This study investigates the extent to which EU law adequately regulates dark patterns and identifies potential gaps in enforcement. The central research question is: How effectively does EU law address dark patterns, and what regulatory challenges remain in ensuring consumer protection? The study employs a legal-analytical methodology, systematically examining EU legislation, enforcement actions, and judicial interpretations relevant to dark patterns. It explores the interplay between different legal instruments, assessing how regulators define, monitor, and penalize deceptive design practices. Additionally, the study analyzes recent policy initiatives, including guidance from the European Commission and enforcement actions by national consumer protection authorities. Through a comparative legal assessment, the research highlights inconsistencies in enforcement across EU member states and evaluates the adequacy of proposed regulatory reforms. By focusing on legal frameworks rather than behavioural effects, this research critically assesses the EU’s regulatory approach to dark patterns. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on digital consumer rights, platform accountability, and the evolving role of competition, consumer, and data protection law in mitigating manipulative online practices.
