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A modern form of inequality: Digital Differences

Many assume that internet users a single homogeneous group but there are digital differences, which refers to the stratification between different groups in society and how they may be disadvantaged in their use of the Internet based on their social characteristics. It may also be referred to as the ‘Digital Divide’ (Morrisett). Figure 1. A video I created illustrating a few of the digital differences in society. Continue reading →

All Differences Make A Difference

The world today is a “global village”, the concept of which was first introduced by Marshall McLuhan, who defined it as one world interconnected by an electronic nervous system. He believed that, as the unity of the modern world becomes increasingly a technological rather than a social affair, the techniques of the arts provide the most valuable means of insight into the real direction of our own collective purposes. Continue reading →

Are we really that different?

Credit: Self made with PitkoChart   ‘Inequality’ springs racism, sexism and classism to mind. However, it’s time we accepted that digital inequality deserves a place alongside more traditional forms of inequality (Robinson et al., 2015), as an ability to access the internet can provide advantages in various aspects of life, from academic performance to entrepreneurship (Robinson et al, 2015). However, use of the internet is not always a choice (Halford and Savage, 2010). Continue reading →

Digital Differences

Background: The information society is ever changing and as a result bring about new forms of inequality. Even in countries where the majority of people use smartphones, those who are economically disadvantaged lack a basic access to digital resources and so also lack the skills to use them effectively (Robinson et al., 2015). In a climate where people are expected to be digitally literate, this is very limiting when it comes to job opportunities. Continue reading →

The Digital Divide

Digital Differences and Others Use of and interaction on the web has become a part of every-day life, therefore to many, to not utilise it, naively, seems inexplicable. Yet 10% of the UK remain non-users, reflecting persistent wider social and structural inequality (Office For National Statistics, 2016). Not all access is identical, with variations being indicative of digital differences. Continue reading →

The Digital Divide

Digital Differences and Others Use of and interaction on the web has become a part of every-day life, therefore to many, to not utilise it, naively, seems inexplicable. Yet 10% of the UK remain non-users, reflecting persistent wider social and structural inequality (Office For National Statistics, 2016). Not all access is identical, with variations being indicative of digital differences. Continue reading →

Digital Differences. Stone Age to the Digital Age.

Source: https://lockhl2049.wordpress.com/2017/11/14/reflection-for-digital-differences/ Digital differences is how everyone in the world has different experiences with the Internet either being old, young or a disability, they all use it in some form. For example having the latest mobile phones are more common with the young generations where as our grandparents would not mind as much about what brand of mobile they have. Continue reading →

Digital Differences – We’re not all the same

When we’re surrounded by so much technology and have such easy access to information , it’s easy to forget that not everyone does, or even can, use the Internet in the same way. In 2017, almost all of those aged 16-24 and 24-34 in the UK were recent Internet users at 99%, yet there were still 9% of users who had never used the Internet from January till March (Ons.gov.uk, 2018). Continue reading →

Digital Differences – We’re not all the same

When we’re surrounded by so much technology and have such easy access to information , it’s easy to forget that not everyone does, or even can, use the Internet in the same way. In 2017, almost all of those aged 16-24 and 24-34 in the UK were recent Internet users at 99%, yet there were still 9% of users who had never used the Internet from January till March (Ons.gov.uk, 2018). Continue reading →

Mind the (digital) gap.

Having looked at digital users, it’s now time to understand the digital “gap”. Gap, what gap? That is the gap in Internet access and engagements between individuals (also known as “Digital Differences”) (Halford and Savage, 2010). van Dijk (2013) identified 5 types of inequality: Technological, Material, Immaterial, Social and Educational. The detailed properties are elaborated in the following video:   Mind the gap. Continue reading →

A New Human Right For The Digital Age – Topic 1

Whilst taking part in the ‘Learning in the Network Age’ MOOC as part of the UOSM2008 module, I discovered the concept of ‘digital differences’. Whilst most may assume that everyone uses the web for similar practices, research into this has revealed instead that factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, disability and class all impact if and how people use the internet (Zickuhr and Smith, 2012). Continue reading →

Digital Differences on the Web

As a Web Science student, people around me use the web all the time, but I’m aware of differences other people have getting access to the web and the types of activities the web is used for. Although it seems sensible to assume there’s a divide between the 50% of people who do have access to the web and the other half that do, it’s more complex than that, to the point that digital inequality should be seen as a “traditional form of inequality” (Robinson et al. Continue reading →

Digital Differences: How is our web use affected?

Digital Differences Following my previous posts about Digital ‘Natives’ and ‘Immigrants’, it is worth highlighting the concept of ‘Digital Differences’.  The assumption that all internet users use the web for similar practices has initiated discussions regarding personal factors impacting our web usage.  Factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, disability and class all impact if and how people use the internet. Continue reading →

Digital Differences: How is our web use affected?

Digital Differences Following my previous posts about Digital ‘Natives’ and ‘Immigrants’, it is worth highlighting the concept of ‘Digital Differences’.  The assumption that all internet users use the web for similar practices has initiated discussions regarding personal factors impacting our web usage.  Factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, disability and class all impact if and how people use the internet. Continue reading →

Learning Never Exhausts The Mind (Leonardo da Vinci) – Can Online Learning Challenge This? -Topic 1

Introduction The term ‘digital differences’ considers the inequalities and factors that affect one’s access to technology (FutureLearn, 2018). This consists of age, gender and more. The list does not stop here, showing the diversity of digital differences. Made by Chloe Cheung using PowToon (Click on Image to View Video) Individuals may choose to not use the Web, as they feel it is not relevant to their lifestyle. Continue reading →

Topic 1- Digital Differences:

Today we see a new inequality, referred to as ‘Digital Difference’ (Robinson et al, 2015). Watch my video below to learn more! (created by Boyle on Biteable, 2018).  Digital Differences include many aspects… Aspects of Digital difference (Robinson et al, 2015). Created by Boyle on Piktochart (2018) Although it’s important not to generalize certain populations, research has revealed certain patterns in how people engage with the web… Patterns in Digital Differences. Continue reading →