Open AccessTHE CONNECTION BETWEEN DIGITAL DIVIDE AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK
Author(s) -
Thommy Sebatana Molala,
Jabulani Calvin Makhubele
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
humanities and social sciences reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2395-6518
DOI - 10.18510/hssr.2021.9427
Subject(s) - social exclusion , novelty , originality , digital divide , nexus (standard) , public relations , poverty , sociology , narrative , information and communications technology , social inequality , inequality , political science , social psychology , social science , psychology , economic growth , qualitative research , computer science , economics , linguistics , philosophy , law , embedded system , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Purpose of the study: This paper aims to ascertain the nexus between the digital divide and social exclusion (inequalities) - directly and indirectly, as digital technology enables people to socialise, communicate, work, study, and conduct business.
Methodology: To do this, the literature review is employed as a methodology. Specifically, the narrative or semi-systematic literature review was conducted on all sources germane to the topic under investigation.
Main findings: The paper has found that the digital divide has adverse effects on the employment, education, health, social services, and socio-economic development of digitally excluded people. In addition, it has emerged that the digital divide exacerbates social exclusion.
Applications of this study: To this end, Social Workers and associated professionals are empowered with knowledge about the role of the digital divide in social exclusion, thus they are expected to play active assume advocacy roles as far as Information Communication Policies are concerned.
Novelty/Originality of this study: Digitalisation has embedded factors inducing poverty, inequity, and discrimination unintentionally; thereby this paper replenishes literature in Social Science to enable Social Scientists to utilise relevant information –in their research, intervention, and commentary.