Social Inclusion Through Technology

Social inclusion through technology refers to providing direct access to electronic devices by people at or below the poverty line so that they can successfully engage with society, including public policies and mass media. This entry focuses on the intellectual framework that has allowed the existence of projects aimed at social inclusion through technology, with the underlying hypothesis being that technology can be a medium through which people in poverty can successfully obtain social inclusion. As information and communication technologies (ICTs) advance, they improve people’s everyday lives: from productivity and health to transportation, entertainment, and sociability. In the beginning of the 21st century, the ICT sector represents more than 7.5% of worldwide GDP. However, it has been argued that ICTs are not neutral tools: They ...