Additional information
by Alexander Van Deursen (Author), Jan Van Dijk (Author)
The digital landscape has changed dramatically in recent years with the continued rise of social media, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet of Things applications, creating a complex 'thick' mediated reality spanning numerous online and offline platforms (e.g., TV, radio, newspapers, smartphones, smart devices, apps, websites, social media, and more). These changes have transformed the digital skills required to participate in contemporary society. In this book, Alexander van Deursen and Jan van Dijk build on their earlier work on digital skills (published in their 2014 book Digital Skills: Unlocking the Information Society) to explore how technological developments reshape skill demands. They systematically examine the skills needed today, assess how they are distributed across the population, and provide guidance on how policy can address gaps, offering a comprehensive framework for navigating digital inclusion in a rapidly evolving media environment.
Back Jacket
"This comprehensive interdisciplinary book provides analyses and measures of required skills for equitable, effective, and participatory digital media use. Van Deursen and Van Dijk discuss implications for interventions, accessibility, and interface design; strategies for education and informal learning; and policy implications that consider the multidimensional nature of the media environment. The exciting and thoroughly grounded book should be required reading in all disciplines related to the contemporary digital world."
--Ronald Rice, Distinguished Professor, Arthur N. Rupe Endowed Professor, Social Effects of Mass Communication
"This excellent book combines wisdom from years of innovative research with insightful solutions to address the digital skills so critical for participation in society today, especially in an age of AI. With useful concepts and measures, the authors offer nuanced, evidence-based recommendations for human-centered design, education, and public policy, targeting diverse needs for different populations. A must-read for scholarship and practice."
--Karen Mossberger, Professor Emerita, School of Public Affairs (SPA)
The digital landscape has changed dramatically in recent years with the rise of AI and IoT, creating a complex mediated reality spanning numerous online and offline platforms. These changes have transformed the digital skills required to participate in society. Van Deursen and Van Dijk build on their earlier work (Digital Skills: Unlocking the Information Society) to explore how technological developments reshape skill demands. They systematically examine the skills needed today, assess how they are distributed, and provide guidance on how policy can address gaps.
Alexander van Deursen is Professor of Digital Inequality at the University of Twente, The Netherlands. He is particularly known for evaluating the role of technological developments in fostering inclusive societies.
Jan van Dijk is Emeritus Professor of Sociology of the Information Society at the University of Twente, the Netherlands. He studies the social aspects of digital media, digital democracy and the digital divide.
Author Biography
Alexander van Deursen is Professor of Digital Inequality and Director of the Centre for Digital Inclusion at the University of Twente, The Netherlands. He is particularly known for evaluating the role of technological developments in fostering inclusive societies. His research focuses on how people with different backgrounds and resources use technology in daily life, and under what conditions technology can be leveraged to obtain positive outcomes.
Jan van Dijk is Emeritus Professor of Communication Science and Sociology of the Information Society and still working at the University of Twente, the Netherlands. His main domains of research are the social aspects of the digital media, digital democracy and the digital divide.
