Digital footprints: an emerging dimension of digital inequality
| Published date | 13 August 2018 |
| Pages | 242-251 |
| Date | 13 August 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-02-2018-0014 |
| Author | Marina Micheli,Christoph Lutz,Moritz Büchi |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance,Information & communications technology |
Digital footprints: an emerging
dimension of digital inequality
Marina Micheli
Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ), University of Zurich,
Zurich, Switzerland
Christoph Lutz
Nordic Centre for Internet and Society,
Department of Communication and Culture,
BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo, Norway, and
Moritz Büchi
Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ), University of Zurich,
Zurich, Switzerland
Abstract
Purpose –This conceptual contributionis based on the observation that digital inequalities literature has
not sufficiently considereddigital footprints as an important socialdifferentiator. The purpose of the paper is
to inspirecurrent digital inequality frameworks to includethis new dimension.
Design/methodology/approach –Literature on digital inequalities is combined with research on
privacy,big data and algorithms.The focus on current findings from an interdisciplinary point of view allows
for a synthesis of differentperspectives and conceptual development of digitalfootprints as a new dimension
of digital inequality.
Findings –Digital footprints originate from active content creation, passive participation and platform-
generated data. The literature review shows how different social groups may experience systematic
advantages or disadvantagesbased on their digital footprints. A special emphasis should be on those at the
margins,for example, users of low socioeconomic background.
Originality/value –By combining largely independent research fields, the contribution opens new
avenuesfor studying digital inequalities, including innovativemethodologies to do so.
Keywords Algorithms, Digital inequality, Privacy, Online participation, Algorithms, Big data,
Digital divide, Digital footprints, Passive participation
Paper type Conceptual paper
The digital inequality literature has focusedon the antecedents and effects of differentiated
internet use. More specifically, this line of research has called attention to certain online
dimensions in which offlineinequalities are reproduced. DiMaggio et al. (2004) distinguished
between internet access (technical means and autonomy of use), skill, availability of social
support and variation in use, while van Dijk (2005) distinguished between motivational
access, material access, skills access and usage access. Both conceptualizations show the
multi-dimensionalityof digital inequalities and the importance of differentiatingdimensions
when analyzing the phenomenon. Across all dimensions, the scientific and public policy
relevance of the digital divide is based on the assumption that those who are able to
effectively use theinternet might increase their social, economic,cultural and human capital.
Consequently, if users in privileged social positions have better conditions for internet
access, skills anduse, social inequalities may be exacerbated (DiMaggio etal.,2004).
JICES
16,3
242
Received15 February 2018
Revised8 May 2018
Accepted3 June 2018
Journalof Information,
Communicationand Ethics in
Society
Vol.16 No. 3, 2018
pp. 242-251
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1477-996X
DOI 10.1108/JICES-02-2018-0014
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