Pixel Chix and Digi Guys: Exploring the Experience of the "Digital Citizens" in Two Contexts

Rachel McLean
Additional contact information
Rachel McLean: Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction (IJTHI), 2008, vol. 4, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to widen the debate surrounding participation in the eSociety, shifting the focus from access and economic power to skills and knowledge. It will present empirical research which, whilst not starting out as research into skills for the eSociety, revealed some relevant and enlightening issues. Focusing on two diverse contexts of activity (shopping and health care support) I will illustrate how the status quo (that the educated and economically rich have privileged, unfettered access to the services of the e-society) is flawed, misleading to stakeholders, and detrimental to both service providers and consumers. From a critical social theory (CST) perspective this paper critiques assumptions that the internet brings about citizen empowerment through increased access to information, and opportunities to communicate and share knowledge with service providers and other consumers. It demonstrates that this assumption derives from the myth that technology per se brings huge benefits, including wealth and empowerment. Concludes that access to ICTs alone does not bring about effective engagement in the eSociety.

Date: 2008
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://services.igi-global.com/resolvedoi/resolve. ... 4018/jthi.2008040101 (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:igg:jthi00:v:4:y:2008:i:2:p:1-21

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction (IJTHI) is currently edited by Anabela Mesquita

More articles in International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction (IJTHI) from IGI Global
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Journal Editor ().