1. The social impact of the Internet: promoting digital equality
Making Research Count Conference
22nd January 2016
The social impact of the Internet: promoting digital equality
Sue Watling

2. Image from https://www.flickr.com/photos/umpcportal/4581962986

5. Image from http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/assets/0707/0000/0013/millbank2.jpg

6. Change the way you think about Hull | 7 October 2009 | 6

8. Image from https://cdn. thinglink

11. …never assume equivalent, equitable internet access…
digital assumptions
…never assume equivalent, equitable internet access…

12. 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.

13. Mouse, Eyes, Ears (MEE) Model
MEE model influences understanding of
Digital Access
Digital Support
Digital Design

15. Giesbert Nijhuis; graphic designer who is quadriplegic
Stephen Hawking; scientist with motor neurone disease
Giesbert Nijhuis; graphic designer who is quadriplegic
Richard Bernard: retired social worker with vision impairment
Aliya Farmi; sight loss and problems of having personal letters read out loud by others.

16. 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.

18. Potential for digital exclusion
Traveller/Romany.
Physical, cognitive, sensory impairment.
Poor internet connections.
Cultural restrictions.
Older people.
Children.
Fixed incomes.
Lacking formal qualifications.
Lacking digital literacies.
Homeless.
New immigrants.
Language barriers. 18

19. 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

20. http://www. go-on. co. uk/resources/heatmap/

21. 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.
Digital literacies always raise complex issues but for social workers in a digital society they are essential requirements.

22. 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

23. ‘The power of the Web is in its universality
‘The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone…is an essential aspect.’  Tim Berners Lee (1997)

24. Sue Watling Email me: s.watling@hull.ac.uk Tweet me: @suewatling
comment on my blog
Multimedia Birds of a Feather image from