Iolande Principe, South Australian Department of Human Services & University of South Australia
This presentation will reflect on the social impact of the digital divide - the gap between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' in the digital information age. In particular, it examines social inclusion and exclusion in an knowledge and information-enabled society and whether the division between people who have access to the Internet and those who do not - the "digital divide" - inhibits the growth of, or erodes, social capital.
Both non-Internet users and internet users living in urban and rural areas, the aged, people with certain disabilities and those from non-English speaking backgrounds were surveyed and brought together into focus groups to explore issues with Internet-provided public health information services.
An information-enabled society proposes an environment where connections between people can be enhanced, isolation can be reduced, and supportive relationships can be established. These improvements in social support are known to have a positive impact on health and on empowerment of the individual and the community in which they live.