We Need to Talk...
On the clock of the digital society, it is five to twelve. The Digital Society Alliance has released a publication (in honor of its fifth anniversary) with stories that emphasize a simple truth: digitalization is progressing rapidly, but not everyone can keep up. One of the stories features an interview with Alexander van Deursen:
More than ten years ago, the general belief was that the digital divide would close once everyone had a computer and an internet connection. Now, 98 percent of the population has the necessary devices and access to the internet. “But digital inequality is about much more than just access to the internet. How do people use the internet, and what skills do they need for this? It may well be that people are motivated to be digitally active, and they may have the equipment, but not the skills or the necessary support.”
A Small Group Benefits
Alexander van Deursen is a professor of Digital Inequality at the University of Twente. At the end of 2023, he and his Center for Digital Inclusion published the Trend Report on Digital Inclusion. Van Deursen sees the digital divide widening, despite nearly everyone having a digital presence. The group benefiting from the digital society is shrinking as technology becomes more complex and its impact grows. “These are the people who have good equipment, possess high-level skills, and use internet technology for many different applications. It is the same privileged group that is also leading the way socioeconomically.” These individuals benefit the most from digital tools, which not only increases digital inequality but also social inequality. He is surprised that politicians and policymakers often fail to recognize that so many people are still struggling.
Smartphone Instead of Laptop
During the COVID-19 pandemic, life shifted online: suddenly, many tasks had to be done online, and online communication became essential for maintaining social networks. It quickly became clear that the digital divide was still a pressing issue. "Think of a family with three children who had to follow online education on the same tablet or computer," says Van Deursen. "The smartphone also became even more important for internet use during that period. It may be ideal for communication or certain location-based apps, but for more complex tasks, you need larger screens and more powerful computers." However, young people and their parents are more likely to choose smartphones because they are convenient and relatively inexpensive. Money is limited, and spending it wisely is crucial. Van Deursen explains: “When smartphones replace laptops, the device can unintentionally contribute to digital inequality. This creates a mobile underclass. Smartphones are not equalizers; they are unequalizers.”
Critical Capacity
The most significant form of digital inequality arises from differences in digital skills. Not all users are equipped to critically assess the risks of new applications. For example, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) products may seem to make life easier. The ability to remotely adjust your heating without having to understand how it works is appealing to many. The technology operates autonomously and in the background. But Van Deursen believes the growing complexity of these technologies requires users to adopt a more critical mindset. It is crucial that everyone understands something about the backend of these types of applications. "The data collected in this way reveals a lot about your life. It can be used to predict your behavior. The backend of A.I., for example, is complex and presents greater security risks. As a user, you need to be able to interpret that."
Take ChatGPT, for instance. It seems simple: ask a question, and you get a neat report in return. Van Deursen believes users should embrace it, if only because we cannot go back. "At the same time, we need to learn to critically evaluate where the information in that report comes from. Other forms of AI or algorithms determine what you see based on your own data or search history. You need to be aware of that. Otherwise, you'll quickly be fed only your own ideas on the internet." Interestingly, people over 65 tend to be better at being critical of this than younger people. They perform better when it comes to using the internet for informational and strategic purposes. Van Deursen observes that young people often rely solely on the two lines of search results presented by Google.
Mobile Phones in the Classroom
Policymakers are grappling with the challenges posed by new technologies in various sectors. Often, they turn to policies that aren't grounded in scientific evidence. Van Deursen provides an example: “As a father, I might support a ban on smartphones in the classroom. But as a researcher, I realize that smartphones are often more advanced than the devices students use at school. There are many opportunities to use them effectively in the classroom.”
Legislation is struggling to keep pace with the rapid development of complex technologies. Lawmakers simply cannot keep up. At the same time, existing regulations are not being properly enforced. As a result, companies are increasingly making decisions on behalf of users, often without their knowledge or consent.
Literacy More Important Than Ever
The growing digital divide, the shift from computers and laptops to mobile phones, challenges with AI, and the lagging legislation—all of these issues highlight the urgent need for action. Van Deursen urges organizations and policymakers to carefully consider the individual needs of people. “We need to address all aspects of digital access simultaneously: motivate people, assist them with equipment, skills, and applications. Providing a laptop and skills training can be a good starting point. But critical digital literacy skills—and, importantly, traditional literacy skills—are more essential than ever: how to deal with disinformation, recognize misinformation, and define effective search queries.”
Developers, educational institutions, governments, and organizations like the Digital Society Alliance all have roles to play. However, Van Deursen warns against fragmented approaches. “Don't all start creating your own solutions. Closing the digital divide is a balancing act between standardization and a local, individual-level approach. It's crucial to ensure that people receive support from someone they trust, and that they begin with what interests them. Not everyone is eager to learn internet banking when they take their first steps into the digital world. Maybe a woman wants to find crochet patterns because she’s in a craft club. Start there. If you’re never going to sell anything on Marktplaats, you don’t need to learn it, as far as I’m concerned.”
