Class Inequality

Question 1

What is class digital divide?

Answer 1

Inequality in access to and use of technologies according to class

Question 2

Digital communications widen class inequality

Which sociologist referred to a digital underclass and what did he mean by this term?

Answer 2

HELSPER-
- People that cannot afford the latest digital technology

Question 3

Digital communications widen class inequality

What are the disadvantages that the digital underclass face?

Answer 3

• Social networks are dependant on technology
• Education relies on digital communications
• A knowledge gap is created
• People may feel inferior if they don’t have access
• Info shared can shape cultural ideas

Question 4

Digital communications widen class inequality

What did Martens and D’Haenens find in their study on the class digital divide?

Answer 4

Lower social class is linked with lower internet use
- Individuals with lower social class use internet for entertainment purposes rather than knowledge and information

Question 5

Digital communications narrow class inequality

How can digital communications increase the social capital of the working class?

Answer 5

BOURDIEU (working class people are disadvantaged as they have a lower social capital)
- LINKEDIN- enables everyone to develop employment based on connections (that enable them to get professional careers)

Question 6

Digital communications narrow class inequality

What are some examples of digital communications reducing class inequality?

Answer 6

• LinkedIn: develop your career and connections
• Influencing: requires minimal financial resources and is accessible to all- Joe Wicks came from a working class background and developed a platform on Youtube as a fitness coach
• Easier to protest against class inequality- Marcus Rashford: free school meals during summer (changed government policy)