Social class and digital communication

Question 1

Social class and digital communication

Answer 1

• Devices are expensive and need regular maintaining and updating
• For example the most recent iPhone costs £800
• Also only certain areas of the country have access to high speed broadband connection
• Those that cannot afford these items are known as the digital underclass

Question 2

Disadvantages of being in the digital underclass

Answer 2

• Social networks are largely dependent on digital communication
• Education for children relies on digital communication
• People may feel inferior or lacking because they aren’t included – leads to social exclusion

Question 3

Mertens and D’Haenens:

Answer 3

Lower social class was linked to lower internet usage
Individuals with low social class focus their technology on entertainment
Originally was measuring inequality on gender and ethnicity but found class to be the most powerful variable