In the UK, where this ongoing project originated, policies have been developed to improve internet access and internet skills of individuals so that they can fully participate in all aspects of the network society. Other countries are showing similar initiatives aimed at addressing inequalities in people's ability to use information and communication technologies (ICTs) in ways that help achieve tangible, high-quality results in everyday life. At the same time, a lot of academic work has been done that has led to detailed knowledge about who is and who is not digitally recorded. As the internet increasingly becomes a part of everyday life for many people, research on digital inclusion has been criticized. There are concerns about the lack of theoretical developments within the field and the limitations of the surveys typically used in research and evaluation. In this ongoing project, we address these criticisms by developing theoretically substantiated tools for measuring digital inclusion, including the outcomes of digital participation. In parallel with the development of #DiSTOsurvey measures, collaborations have been established with government, third sector and academic institutions using the DiSTO framework as a guide to explore and visualize links between digital and social exclusion.
Contact: Alexander van Deursen
Website: http://www.lse.ac.uk/media-and-communications/research/research-projects/disto
Funder: LSE