Social Inclusion and the Shifting Role of Technology: Is Age the New Gender in Mobile Access?

Abstract

A b s t r d C t Information and communication technologies (ICT) are at the heart of government social inclusion policy. However, the "digital divide " remains and social inclusion and technology are closely linked: Not having access to technology is often seen both as part of the inclusion/exclusion problem and part of the solution by enabling access to information resources through different channels. Yet, we argue that by using technology to address an inclusion/exclusion problem, it will also result in moving the problem from one area to another. The arguments in this paper have been informed by two empirical studies around a ubiquitous technology, the mobile phone. One study is primarily based on the 18 to 25 year old age groups; the other mostly on retired people. The studies show clear differences between age groups and gender in adoption and use of the mobile telephone. Social inclusion is multifaceted; it is not an either/or measure and many attributes are subjective and depend on context. Social inclusion for mobile access is also closely linked to deeply embedded structures within society, such as those traditionally associated with gender. Technology may be changing these structures; indeed, age may be the new gender. The family or social unit may also be a useful entity to consider in the exclusion debate. Technology is being used to address social exclusion; however, we suggest that while some leveling may result, there may also be different social exclusion fronts emerging.

Connectivity in Later Life: The Declining Age Divide in Mobile Cell Phone Ownership

“…For example, analysis of US data has found that social networking use among older internet users has increased in recent years although many older people remain isolated from digital technology (Madden 2010; Pew Research Centre 2014). Although there is undoubtable evidence of an age divide in mobile phone access (Adams and Fitch 2006) research suggests that the ‘digital divide’ may be narrowing (Shrewsbury 2002). Of course, such so-called ‘generational divides’ are mediated by many factors, including social economic and cultural difference (Sourbati 2009); expertise effects (Arning et al 2010) as well as existing normative age associated changes in ability (Charnes and Boot 2009), all of which might be anticipated to sustain and stabilize such divides despite – or even because of – the speed with which mobile technology is evolving, on the grounds that older cohorts are chronologically older, less educated, less likely to be exposed to employment and leisure related ICT expertise, and with less discretionary spending power and peer pressure to buy into these new technologies.…”

On Quality and Communication: The Relevance of Critical Theory to Health Informatics

“…Consider the issue of competing demands: The implementation of healthcare information systems may be viewed by management as a way of saving money. Whilst this is a legitimate aim, it may well conflict with the equally valid but different goals of other stakeholders (Adams & Fitch, 2006). Questioning the rationality of these others, when, for example, they reject the information system's legitimacy or do not follow organizational goals, may be seen as a way of promoting a particular agenda.…”