Effects of Global Digital Communication on Social Inequality

What is the digital divide?

The gap between those who have access to digital technology and the internet and those who do not.

Why is the digital divide sociologically important?

It can reinforce existing inequalities in education, employment, information access and social participation.

What is cultural capital?

Knowledge, skills, values and experiences that give individuals advantages in society.

Which sociologist developed the concept of cultural capital?

Pierre Bourdieu.

What did the LSE study find about internet use and social class?

Middle-class children had greater access to the internet and used it more effectively than working-class children.

Why are working-class children more vulnerable to the digital divide?

Their parents often have fewer digital skills and therefore cannot provide the same support.

How does digital knowledge relate to cultural capital?

Digital skills can become a form of cultural capital that advantages middle-class children.

What percentage of the British population remained offline in 2021?

Around 15%.

Which groups are most likely to remain offline?

Poorer social classes and elderly people.

What does Castells (2000) argue about digital networks?

Those excluded from digital networks become increasingly marginalised.

Why is internet access a form of capital according to Castells?

It provides access to jobs, information, opportunities and social networks.

Why does Castells view the internet as democratic?

It makes information widely available through platforms such as Wikipedia.

How does Castells believe digital media can reduce inequality?

It can help oppressed groups organise collectively and challenge powerful governments.

What example does Castells use?

Digital media helped organise protests and revolutions in North Africa.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the digital divide?

Access to online learning varied significantly by social class.

According to the Sutton Trust (2020), what percentage of private school teachers felt prepared to teach online?

69%.

According to the Sutton Trust (2020), what percentage of state school teachers felt prepared to teach online?

40%.

Why were working-class students disadvantaged during lockdown?

They were less likely to have reliable internet access or multiple digital devices.

According to Ofcom (2020), how many children lacked access to a laptop, desktop or tablet?

Between 1 million and 1.8 million children.

How did the BBC and Eton attempt to reduce digital inequality?

By providing free online educational resources.

How does Boyle define the digital divide?

A new form of social stratification based on access to digital technology.

What distinction does Boyle make between digital citizens and digital consumers?

Digital citizens actively control and use media, whereas digital consumers passively receive content.

What concern does Boyle raise about digital technology?

Commercial interests may control the information people receive.

According to the UN (2020), how much less likely are women globally to have internet access than men?

12% less likely.

What is the gender internet gap in the least developed countries?

Around 35%.

Why are women less likely to access the internet in some countries?

Cost, social norms, safety concerns and lack of money.

What percentage of Wikipedia contributors are women?

Around 16%.

Why is the low proportion of female Wikipedia editors significant?

It can create a male bias in what information is included and prioritised.

How can Wikipedia contribute to gender inequality?

Women's achievements are often underrepresented or less developed than men's.

What does Kleeman argue about power and information?

Those who create information influence what society views as important knowledge.

What concern does Melissa Atkinson raise about social media?

Unrealistic beauty standards can harm young women's self-image.

What is internalisation of appearance ideals?

Absorbing media messages about what society considers attractive.

What is appearance comparison?

Comparing one's appearance to others seen online.

How are filters linked to body dissatisfaction?

They create unrealistic standards that users may feel pressured to achieve.

What trend does Atkinson link to social media?

Increased demand for cosmetic procedures and lip fillers.

What criticism does Saarkeesian make of online gaming culture?

It contains entrenched misogyny and sexism.

What does Walter argue about social media and women?

Women are rewarded with attention for increasingly sexualised content.

What concern do Ceislik and Pollack raise?

Online communities can promote harmful behaviours such as anorexia.

How does Haraway view digital technology?

It can liberate oppressed groups by allowing people to transcend traditional identities.

What criticism do Curran and Seaton make of virtual identities?

Escaping inequality online does not solve real-world inequality.

What is Haenfler's concept of nerd masculinity?

A form of masculinity based on cooperation and shared interests rather than dominance.

How can online gaming reduce gender inequality?

Men and women can cooperate equally within online communities.

Why are older people often disadvantaged by digital communication?

They are less likely to access and use digital technologies.

According to Berry, what percentage of over-55s had a social media profile?

Around 8%.

According to Berry, what percentage of over-60s had bought something online?

Around 25%.

According to BI Intelligence (2021), what percentage of over-65s use social media?

24%.

According to BI Intelligence (2021), what percentage of 16–24-year-olds use social media?

99%.

What four factors explain low internet use among older people according to Berry?

Cost, lack of interest, lack of skills and physical disability.

Why does Berry believe older people face exclusion?

Increasingly important services and social interactions are online.

How does social capital affect older people's internet use?

Older people with more family and friends are more likely to receive help accessing technology.

What did Barbara Barbosa Neves find?

Many older people feel frustrated, excluded and confused by digital technology.

Why do some older people struggle with technology according to Neves?

They do not understand digital terminology and language.

What percentage of older people used the internet in 2013?

29%.

What percentage of older people used the internet in 2020?

54%.

What percentage of over-75s had internet access by 2021?

47%.

Why are young people vulnerable online?

They are more likely to experience cyberbullying.

According to Smith et al., what percentage of young people experienced cyberbullying?

20%.

According to YouGov (2019), how much more likely are 16–24-year-olds to experience cyberbullying than over-50s?

Five times more likely.

What are the main reasons for cyberbullying according to YouGov?

Appearance, academic achievement, sexuality and ethnicity.

What did the Royal Society for Public Health (2017) find about Instagram?

It was linked to anxiety, depression, loneliness, bullying and body image concerns.

What is the "compare and despair" effect?

Constant comparison with others online leading to feelings of inadequacy.

How does Boyle view young people's use of digital media?

It creates new opportunities such as influencing and entrepreneurship.

What does McGonigal argue about online gaming?

It creates friendships and positive experiences.

What does YouthNet argue about young people online?

They are confident digital natives who benefit from creativity and social networking.

What evidence supports YouthNet's positive view?

45% felt happiest online and 75% said they could not live without the internet.

According to Pew Research Centre (2022), what percentage of teenagers feel more connected to friends through social media?

80%.

According to Pew Research Centre (2022), what percentage say social media allows creative expression?

71%.

According to Pew Research Centre (2022), what percentage feel supported through social media?

67%.

According to Pew Research Centre (2022), what percentage feel more accepted because of social media?

58%.

How does Turkle believe all age groups are affected by digital communication?

Society has become "alone together", reducing genuine interaction.

What is Turkle's criticism of modern families?

Digital devices contribute to the rise of the "non-familial family" and weaker relationships.

What did Ofcom (2015) find about ethnicity and internet use?

Ethnic minorities often have higher levels of internet access and smartphone use than white people.

What is the global digital divide?

Unequal access to digital technology between richer and poorer countries.

Why are poorer countries disadvantaged digitally?

Lower access to internet infrastructure and technology.

What evidence shows inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Internet access is below 30% in many countries.

How can internet costs contribute to inequality?

In some countries internet access consumes a large proportion of income.

What is platform imperialism?

The domination of global internet platforms by American capitalist companies.

Why do Marxists criticise platform imperialism?

It spreads capitalist ideology and concentrates power in a small number of corporations.

What do Curran and Seaton argue about the digital revolution?

It is exaggerated and mainly benefits privileged groups.

Why do Curran and Seaton reject the idea of a global digital utopia?

Much of the developing world remains excluded from digital benefits.

What evidence supports Curran and Seaton's argument?

Internet use is much higher in wealthy countries than low-income countries.