Digital Inclusion for a Good Digital Society: Leveraging the Benefits and Mitigating the Dark Side

This essay discusses both the benefits and the ‘dark side’ of pursuing digital inclusion, considering how these might inform perspectives on what makes a ‘good digital society.’ On the one hand, digital inclusion enables more citizens to participate in digital activities and access opportunities across a range of domains, which helps reduce inequalities and promote a fair and sustainable digital society. On the other hand, the wider adoption of digital technologies across society means that people are more exposed to the concrete threats posed by the disintegration of trust (in the media, public institutions, and people in general), a process that may undermine a good digital society.

Against this background, we offer a new perspective on digital inclusion, and call for governments to prioritise digital inclusion efforts based on constant discourse and engagement with citizens (ie, e-participation). If the public can digitally engage with a responsive, efficient, and transparent government, the level of citizens’ trust in governments (and other institutions) might be preserved and restored. This is a precondition for building a future in which technology does not turn against the prosperity of society and institutions.