This edited collection explores the role of digital inclusion in the welfare and social inclusion of vulnerable people. With interdisciplinary contributors from six continents, working in diverse fields such as digital media studies, social computing, community informatics and cultural studies, the collection brings together theoretical and applied research evidence on three vulnerable population categories: ethnic minorities, older people and people with disabilities. Each section is accompanied by a critical commentary on the research insights presented, from third sector community and policy experts.
The collection explores whether vulnerable populations face similar experiences and challenges in relation to their digital inclusion status, stressing the central presence of intersectionality, and arguing for the inclusion of the age, ethnicity/immigration status and disability aspects of one’s identity. At the same time, it argues for multi-directional action that tackles intersectional discrimination in the digital realm on behalf of more than one single population category or group. Challenging popular discourse on the overcoming of digital inequalities in the West, this essential book contends that accounts of non-western contexts do not focus on the parameter of vulnerability or on particular population groups.
Author(s): Panayiota Tsatsou
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 354
City: Cham
Acknowledgements
Contents
Notes on Contributors
Abbreviations
List of Figures
List of Tables
Editor’s Introduction: Digital Inclusion, Vulnerability and Associated Complexities
What Is This Book About?
Background
Ethnic Minorities
Older People
People with Disabilities
Outline of the Book
References
Part I: Theoretical and Empirical Insights into Vulnerable People’s Digital Inclusion
Resilience and Digital Inclusion: The Digital Re-making of Vulnerability?
Introduction
From Deficit Toward Strength-Based Approaches
Resilience for the Digital: Situatedness, Intersectionality, and Relationality
Digital Resilience as Media Practice
Conclusions
References
Digital Inequality Research for Digital Publics: A Call for New Modalities in Policy-oriented Social Science
Digital Public Social Science in the Time of COVID-19
State of the Field: Approaches to Digital Inequalities Research
The Case for New Forms of Digital Public Social Science
The Case for Visualizations
Case Study Number One: Visual Representation to Increase Understanding and Acceptance
Case Study Number Two: The Use of Visual and Emotional Representation as Motivating Factors
Lessons Learned and Applied
Path Forward: DIRPSS
References
Multidimensional Digital Exclusion and Its Relation to Social Exclusion
Understanding Digital Inclusion as an Ecosystem of Individual Users
The Offline Social Context
Incorporating a Life Course Perspective: The Diversity of Uses and Non-uses
Review of Conceptual and Empirical Literature on Digital Exclusion
Interventions to Increase Access and Improve Access Quality
Skills and Motivation: Individual Factors and Social Embeddedness
Reinforcing or Overcoming the Existing Social Exclusion
The Elements of Effective Interventions
Discussion
References
Part II: Ethnic Minorities’ Digital Inclusion
Understanding the Role of Social Media on the Road to Social Inclusion: The Case of Syrian Refugees in Belgium
Introduction
Refugees’ Smartphone and Social Media Use
Social Media and Their Role in Refugees’ Social Inclusion
Refugee Movement Models
Method
Recruitment Procedure and Participant Characteristics
Data Collection Procedures and Data Analysis
Ethical Considerations
Results
Push and Pull Factors Before Departing the Country of Origin and During the Journey
Before Departure
During the Journey
After Arrival and During Settlement
Socio-cultural Challenges in the Process of Resettlement
Concluding Discussion
References
Stories of Migration: Exploring the Links Between Emotions and Technologies in the Narratives of Venezuelan Refugees in Brazil
Introduction
Conceptualizing Emotion in Migration Research
Emotions, Technologies and Forced Migration
Research Context
The Study
Methodology
The Decision to Migrate and Preparation for the Journey
The Journey and the Border
Adaptation to the New Environment
Conclusion
References
Digital Citizenship for Older Migrants in Australia: The Need for a Comprehensive Policy Framework
Introduction
Case Studies in Focus
Composite Case 1: Teresa and Mario
Composite Case 2: Grazyna
The Importance of Digital Citizenship for Older Migrants: Insights from the Case Studies
Digital Citizenship and Support Networks
Digital Literacy, Health and Aged Care Access and Equity
Digital Literacy and Residential Aged Care
The Need for a Comprehensive Digital Literacy Framework for Older People, Including Older CaLD Migrants
Recommendations
Conclusion
References
Critical Commentary: Migrant Populations and Intersectional Discrimination—A Technological World’s Blind Spot
References
Part III: Ageing and Digital Inclusion
Digital Exclusion in Later Life: A Narrative Review
Systematic Narrative Review and Case-Study Exemplars
Systematic Narrative Review Themes and Insights
Digital Exclusion and Increasing Inequalities
Facilitators of and Barriers to Digital Engagement
The Importance of Social Networks
Digital Interventions
Discussion
References
Digital Media Use and Social Inclusion: A Case Study of East York Older Adults
Introduction
Literature Review
Older Adults' Adoption and Use of Digital Media
Older Adults, Digital Media, and Social Inclusion
Methods
East York Context
Data Collection
Sample
Data Analysis
Findings
Older Adults’ Social Benefits from Digital Inclusion
Communication Near and Far
Social Groups
Discussion
Conclusions
References
Enhancing Older Adults’ Digital Inclusion Through Social Support: A Qualitative Interview Study
Introduction
The Role of Social Support in Digital Inclusion
Research Material and Methods
Acquiring Social Support for Digital Inclusion Among Older Adults
Experience of (In)Adequate Skills: Needing Help in Technology Use
Asking for Help in Technology Use
Older Adults Asking Warm Experts for Help
Older Adults Asking Cold Experts for Help
Ensuring Access: Receiving Help in Technology Use
Discussion and Conclusions
References
Critical Commentary: Understanding Digital Inclusion of Older People Through a Human Rights Lens
References
Part IV: Digital Inclusion of People with Disabilities
New Cities, Old Prosthesis: Smart Cities, Smartphones and Disability
Introduction
The Narrative Prosthesis
The Smart City
‘Smart Prosthesis’ and Urban Accessibility
Navigating Urban Spaces: Exploring the Relationship Between Smart Technology and Disability in Urban Spaces
Conclusion
References
Disability as Smart Equality: Inclusive Technology in a Digitally Advanced Nation
Smart Equality: Moving Beyond Digital Inclusion
Disability and Digital Inclusion in the “Smart Nation” of Singapore
Reflections from Singapore on Digital Inclusion in Service of “Smart Equality”
Towards “Smart Equality”
References
Digital Inclusion and Social Networks Among Adults with Disabilities in South Korea
Introduction
Methods
Procedures
Participants
Instrument
Demographics
Digital Use Patterns
Digital Use Barriers
Material Access, Digital Literacy, and Digital Support Networks
Digital Attitudes, Confidence in Using Digital Technology, Digital Use Benefits, and Social Networks
Data Analyses
Preliminary Analyses
Primary Analyses
Results
Digital Usage Pattern
Barriers to Using Digital Technologies
Digital Divide Among Adults with Disabilities
Predictors of Social Networks Among Adults with Disabilities
Demographic Factors
Digital Literacy, Material Access, and Digital Support Networks Factors
Digital Attitudes Factor
Discussion
Limitations
Implications for Future Research and Practice
References
Differently Included: A Decolonial Perspective on Disability and Digital Media in South Africa
Introduction
Digital Inclusion as Constructive Absence
Digital Inclusion as a Right
Digital Inclusion as Liberation
Conclusions
References
Critical Commentary: Disability, Technology and Intersectionality—Towards the Transformation of Digital and Physical Worlds
References
Editor’s Conclusion: Intersectionality and Other Lessons
What Has This Book Done?
Insights into Intersectionality and Future Digital Inclusion Research
Other Research and Policy Lessons
References
Index
