We Are All in the Same Boat: Opportunities and Challenges of Humanitarian Inclusion, Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups on Digital Technologies

Conference Paper

2023

PURPOSE: Fostering diversity and equality to encourage the involvement and integration of a society’s groups is a major goal of social cohesion. Social media has a signi cant impact on the way we interact socially, so it is crucial to re ect on how it aligns with wider social cohesion goals. Social media can contribute to positive cross-cultural and intergroup interactions, enhance feelings of belonging, and enable self-expression. However, disparities in technology access and digital literacy can lead to the exclusion of some groups from fully participating online. Additionally, hostile and harmful experiences on social media can further deepen current divisions and impede social cohesion

DESIGN: This paper, drawing on concepts of social identity and cultural diversity and examining examples of vulnerable or marginalised groups in society, examines the prospects and difficulties of social cohesion in the digital age

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Areas of priority for promoting social cohesion are addressed, with an emphasis on e-inclusion, digital citizenship, research, and policy.