19
Increased accessibility has supported students’ level of digital inclusion
through enhanced opportunities for social connection
Students’ level of access to ICTs in addition to their digital ability, are key factors which influence their capacity to socially participate in the digital world. This has become
critical as a result of the evolving, intertwined relationship between social and digital inclusion. Addressing this relationship and empowering digitally disadvantaged
students acts to reduce broader social barriers and inequalities, and enhance social mobility and life opportunities1,2.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL AND DIGITAL INCLUSION
•
83% of Survey 2 respondents are using social media. Of students using social
media, their primary activities include sharing photos (28%), posting about things they
like (27%) in addition to talking to new people and forming connections (16%).
•
For 49% of Survey 2 respondents, having their own laptop has supported them
in developing their social media and connection skills. This is a key skill which
forms the ADII’s measure of Digital Ability and includes activities like deciding what to
share, how and who with as well as communicating with others 3.
•
The relationship between the use of social media and connection skills’ is further
highlighted in students’ digital confidence level. This is supported by the finding that
80% of students using social media reported they felt highly confident using
computers compared to 54% of those not using social media.
•
Students using social media also demonstrated an awareness of the need to stay
safe and mitigate potential risks arising from its use. This was seen in 97% of users
keeping their personal information private, and 85% exercising caution about
which friend/ follow requests they accept.
16.91%
83.09%
Yes
No
5.00%
28.00%
27.00%
24.00%
16.00%
Sharing my
location
Talking to
new people
Sharing
photos
Posting
things I like
Other
Students’ use of social media
Students’ primary activities on social media
1.
Telematics and Informatics Journal: Volume 72, 2022, The self-reinforcing effect of digital and social exclusion: the inequality loop, The self-reinforcing effect of digital and social exclusion: The inequality loop - ScienceDirect
2.
Universal Access in the Information Society, 2023, Research on vulnerable people and digital inclusion: toward a consolidated taxonomical framework, Research on vulnerable people and digital inclusion: toward a consolidated taxonomical framework | SpringerLink
3.
Australian Digital Inclusion Index, 2023, Measuring Australia’s Digital Divide, https://www.digitalinclusionindex.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ADII-2023-Summary_FINAL-Remediated.pdf