Digital inequalities and why they matter

Abstract

While the field of digital inequality continues to expand in many directions, the relationship between digital inequalities and other forms of inequality has yet to be fully appreciated. This article invites social scientists in and outside the field of digital media studies to attend to digital inequality, both as a substantive problem and as a methodological concern. The authors present current research on multiple aspects of digital inequality, defined expansively in terms of access, usage, skills, and self-perceptions, as well as future lines of research. Each of the contributions makes the case that digital inequality deserves a place alongside more traditional forms of inequality in the twenty-first century pantheon of inequalities. Digital inequality should not be only the preserve of specialists but should make its way into the work of social scientists concerned with a broad range of outcomes connected to life chances and life trajectories. As we argue, the significance of digital inequalities is clear across a broad range of individual-level and macro-level domains, including life course, gender, race, and class, as well as health care, politics, economic activity, and social capital.

Social media, social justice? Consideration from a career development perspective

“…This means by extension that the career-related resources that some people receive from social networks are significantly higher than others which would generally point to these 'richer' individuals are more likely to achieve career outcomes that those without them do not. This correlates with recent research conducted by Robinson et al (2015), Boyd (2014) and Wessels (2013) who argue that social media replicates existing inequalities in society. Wessels has argued that factors such as class, status and power significantly affect an individual's ability to make use of digital networks due to the impact that educational background, living conditions and health can have on how well individuals can make use of digital resources.…”

Why Aren't Our Digital Solutions Working for Everyone?

“…While the quantitative impact of these digital solutions is still yet to be determined [2], their potential for driving the next generation of care is indisputable [3,4]. But, as with other historical transformations, the solutions and associated shifts risk leaving certain groups or individuals behind [5,6]. The transition to digital health and the opportunities it provides are causing a widening gap between those who are "connected"-that is, those who can access and use technology services and tools that rely on internet or wireless connectivity-and those who are not.…”

“…They also refer them to networks of community organizations that developed under the $4B Broadband Technology Opportunities Program to access low-cost internet and free digital skills training [16]. The community health workers would then provide specific training in using digital health tools [5]. In Jeremy's case, instead of relying on the clinician to educate Jeremy on the technology, the hospital could have partnered with local education programs to set up and support the use of digital technologies in Jeremy's home.…”

“…To be effective, technologies need to be designed for people with different levels of digital competency and needs for assistance in using these tools. Rather than potentially ill-equipped health care professionals being tasked with training their patients, specialists with expertise in digital skill acquisition could help ensure patients' proficiency with digital solutions [5]. Caretakers should be able to leverage various types of remote monitoring technologies for the same disease, understanding that each person responds to, and uses, technology very differently.…”

Determinan literasi digital mahasiswa: kasus Universitas Sriwijaya [Determinants of students digital literacy: the case of Sriwijaya University]

“…Wang, Myers, & Sundaram (2013), misalnya, menganggap bahwa relasi antara kelompok have dan have not bukan bersifat dikotomis, tetapi lebih merupakan sebuah kontinum. Kesenjangan digital bisa terjadi pada level individu atau level makro (gender, ras kelas, pelayanan kesehatan, politik, modal sosial, dan aktivitas ekonomi) (Robinson et al, 2015). Kesenjangan digital juga bisa terjadi antarnegara, atau lebih populer disebut dengan istilah global digital divide (James, 2008).…”