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BJSW Advance Access originally published online on February 23, 2009
British Journal of Social Work 2009 39(4):740-753; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcp022
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved

This article appears in the following British Journal of Social Work issue: Social work in the digital age Special Issue [View the issue table of contents]

Social Work and the Changing Face of the Digital Divide

Jan Steyaert and Nick Gould

Jan Steyaert is professor in the Netherlands (Fontys) and UK (University of Southampton). Research interests are technology and quality of life (digital divide, internet and loneliness, assistive technology, accessibility), information management in social services (client index systems) and active citizenship. He has published widely on the application of technology in human services as well as on the dynamics between technology and social quality of society. Nick Gould is professor of social work at the University of Bath, UK. He has researched and published widely in the fields of professional learning, social informatics, mental health and evidence-based practice.

Correspondence to Professor Jan Steyaert, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Department of Social Studies, PO Box 347, 5600 AH Eindhoven, The Netherlands. E-mail: j.steyaert{at}fontys.nl


  Abstract

In this article, the concept of digital divide and its relation to social exclusion is analysed. After describing the several facets of the digital divide, the question is asked whether the divide is widening or narrowing? The definition of digital divide is reconsidered and the article argues that access to the technology alone is but a very rudimentary indicator of actually making use of digital opportunities. This is expanded in the section on risks arising from digital exclusion. Finally, implications of this approach of the digital divide for social work and social care are considered.

Keywords: digital divide, social exclusion, information society


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