Digital by Default:Consequences, Casualties and Coping Strategies

The overall question throughout research on digital inequalities has mainly been what hinders or prevents individuals from engaging voluntarily with ICTs by examining differences in access and usage. This is quite logic because initially ICTs were—similar to television or telephones—not much more than new and emerging technologies ready to be diffused and adopted (Rogers 2003). Digital divide research consequently focused on studying socio-demographic characteristics in relation to patterns of diffusion, adoption and usage (Barzilai-Nahon 2006; Hanafizadeh et al. 2009). This explains why the first findings pointed at a lack of physical access as a first and foremost characteristic of digital inequalities (NTIA 1999). Nowadays, many researchers assume ubiquitous connectivity as an enabling force for all. The overall picture for digital inclusion has become more complex, and a lack of motivation to engage with ICTs, insufficient digital skills, scarce resources and support, and limited opportunities regarding training, learning, or usage have additionally been identified as key barriers (Brotcorne, Mertens and Valenduc 2009; Helsper 2012; Mariën and Van Audenhove 2011; Mertens and Servaes 2011)