Digital inequalities 3.0: Emergent inequalities in the information age

Abstract

Marking the 25th anniversary of the “digital divide,” we continue our metaphor of the digital inequality stack by mapping out the rapidly evolving nature of digital inequality using a broad lens. We tackle complex, and often unseen, inequalities spawned by the platform economy, automation, big data, algorithms, cybercrime, cybersafety, gaming, emotional well-being, assistive technologies, civic engagement, and mobility. These inequalities are woven throughout the digital inequality stack in many ways including differentiated access, use, consumption, literacies, skills, and production. While many users are competent prosumers who nimbly work within different layers of the stack, very few individuals are “full stack engineers” able to create or recreate digital devices, networks, and software platforms as pure producers. This new frontier of digital inequalities further differentiates digitally skilled creators from mere users. Therefore, we document emergent forms of inequality that radically diminish individuals’ agency and augment the power of technology creators, big tech, and other already powerful social actors whose dominance is increasing.

Breaking out: the turning point in learning using mobile technology

“…This shift toward enhanced PSL through the use of mobile technology is a harbinger of a new age in the democratization of information ( Franco, Carvalho, da Costa Santos and Ventura, 2019 ; Hyun et al., 2020 ; Smith and Hanson, 2019 ; Yiyan et al., 2020 ). Failure to take advantage of these new possibilities in mobile technology-based PSL runs the risk of widening the digital divide within and between developing regions ( Robinson, Schulz, Blank et al., 2020 ; Robinson, Schulz, Dunn et al., 2020 ).…”

Digital inequalities in time of pandemic: COVID-19 exposure risk profiles and new forms of vulnerability

“…These digital tools allow individuals to mitigate their exposure risk profiles, as compared with those individuals who are constrained to analog modes of work, consumption, and social communication. For this reason, in order to fully grasp the sources of individuals' CERPs, we need to scrutinize digital inequalities, which can impact many consequential life realms (Robinson, et al, 2020a(Robinson, et al, , 2020b(Robinson, et al, , 2020c. We do so here in terms of a taxonomy of heterogeneous groups including the socially isolated, older adults, the incarcerated, students, teleworkers, gig workers, and last-mile workers.…”

“…People that are both digitally and socially disconnected (Group D) may thus be most vulnerable under conditions of forced social distancing. In the realm of digital inequalities, previous studies have identified particular demographic and socio-economics groups that are less digitally connected along such lines as gender, race, age, education, and income (for recent review, see Robinson, et al, 2020b). The literature on social isolation has also identified characteristics of people who are at higher risk of social isolation (e.g., McPherson, et al, 2006;Miyawaki, 2015).…”

The COVID Connection: Pandemic Anxiety, COVID-19 Comprehension, and Digital Confidence

“…Researchers have identified three main levels of digital inequality ( van Dijk, 2005 ; Witte & Mannon, 2010 ), all of which are particularly consequential during the COVID-19 pandemic. While first-level digital inequalities encompass resource inequalities in terms of hardware or network access, second-level digital inequalities concern digital skills; third-level digital inequalities are responsible for disparities in offline/behaviors and conditions ( Gui & Büchi, 2019 ; Helsper, 2012 ; Ragnedda, 2017 ; Robinson et al, 2018 ; Robinson et al, 2020c ). All levels of the digital divide have been tied to sociodemographic disparities including age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, and education ( Pew Research Center, 2019 ).…”