seven critical lenses for exploring the social impact of the internet and promoting digital equality
TRANSCRIPT
The social impact of the Internet:promoting digital equality
Making Research Count Conference 22nd January 2016
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Change the way you think about Hull | 7 October 2009 | 6
digital assumptions…never assume equivalent, equitable internet access…
I’m sure that in addition there are other ways folk can be digitally excluded. We won’t fix it all, but having the conversation and then taking action is a good start. You have certainly made me think about some of the digital assumptions I make.
Mouse, Eyes, Ears (MEE) ModelMEE model influences understanding of•Digital Access•Digital Support•Digital Design
Stephen Hawking; scientist with motor neurone disease https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFLVyWBDTfo
Mike Phillips One Thumb to Rule Them All https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BhHwk9qSvI
Giesbert Nijhuis; graphic designer who is quadriplegichttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x31u1seLTo0
Richard Bernard retired social worker with vision impairment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b95AIcTTHAA
Aliya Farmi sight loss and problems of having personal letters read out loud by others.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G73U-JJbLc
Digital assumptions can lead to digital exclusion In a digital society where the platforms of the public sphere are increasingly being digitised, if you are digitally excluded you risk being silenced and rendered invisible.
Potential for digital exclusion
o Older people.o Children.o Fixed incomes.o Lacking formal
qualifications.o Lacking digital
literacies.o Homeless.o New immigrants.o Language
barriers.
o Traveller/Romany.o Physical, cognitive,
sensory impairment. o Poor internet
connections. o Cultural restrictions.
• Go On UK charity http
://www.go-on.co.uk/ • Set up by Martha Lane Fox to replace
Race Online 2012 • Addressing the UK’s lack of Basic Digital
Skills ‘in order to sustain economic growth, productivity and social mobility’.• 17 million people unable to make use of
the internet
http://www.go-on.co.uk/resources/heatmap/?utm_source=heatmap_info_page&utm_medium=heatmap&utm_campaign=rh_nav_bar
Social work students, practitioners and educators can find themselves both sides of the digital divide.
Digital exclusion for service users might involve, for example, the mother in poverty trying to apply online for universal credit; the visually impaired person struggling with inaccessible websites; the personal budget holder wanting advice on using online market places or the older person who would benefit from telecare. In each of these cases a well informed and digitally savvy social worker can bring net benefit to individual lives.
Digital literacies always raise complex issues but for social workers in a digital society they are essential requirements.
Social impact of the internet
Viewed through 7 critical lenses • digital identity – online profiles • digital boundaries – public and private • digital surveillance – digital footprints• digital assumptions – MEE Model• digital exclusion – invisible • digital by default – health, welfare, lifestyle• digital equity – for everyone
‘The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone…is an essential aspect.’ Tim Berners Lee (1997) https://www.w3.org/Press/IPO-announce
https://digitalacademicblog.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/digital-exclusion-as-linguistic-lockout
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Sue Watling Email me: [email protected] me: @suewatling
comment on my blog https://digitalacademicblog.wordpress.com