The social context in Digital Society explores how digital technologies impact social groupings, relationships, and identities. Here are some key areas of research and examples related to the 4.7 Social section:

Social Components of Identity (Digital Society)

International-mindedness and Common Humanity

Research in this area examines how digital technologies facilitate global connections and shared experiences across cultures.

Global Village (Marshall McLuhan)

McLuhan theorized that electronic media would create a "global village" where information spreads rapidly worldwide.

Real-Life Example: Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter allow people from different countries to interact and share experiences in real-time, fostering a sense of global community.

Global Citizenship (Oxfam 2015)

Global Citizenship emphasizes that digital technology fosters a sense of global identity, connecting individuals across borders. Social media platforms, for instance, offer spaces where international and cross-cultural dialogue occurs, often promoting shared human experiences.

Real-Life Example: The Arab Spring (2011) demonstrated how social media platforms, especially Twitter, helped people across the globe connect in solidarity for democracy and human rights movements.

Age and Demographics

Studies focus on how different age groups use and are impacted by digital technologies.

Digital natives vs. digital immigrants (Marc Prensky)

Prensky's work explores differences between those who grew up with digital technology and older generations who adopted it later in life.

Real-Life Example: TikTok's popularity among Gen Z users compared to older demographics illustrates generational differences in social media preferences.

Digital Divide Theory (Mark Warschauer)

Digital Divide Theory shows how access to digital technologies is uneven, particularly across age groups. Younger generations have higher access and familiarity with digital tools, creating a knowledge gap.

Real-Life Example: In education, younger students adapt to online learning platforms (like Zoom or Google Classroom) faster than older adults, reflecting generational differences in technology use.

Gender, Expression and Sexuality

This area examines how digital spaces affect gender identity, expression, and sexual orientation.

Online Disinhibition Effect (John Suler)

Suler's theory explains how online anonymity can lead people to express themselves more openly, including aspects of gender and sexuality.

Real-Life Example: Dating apps like Tinder and Grindr have transformed how LGBTQ+ individuals connect and express their identities.

Gender Performativity Theory (Judith Butler)

Gender Performativity Theory suggests that digital spaces allow individuals to express and perform their gender and sexual identities in ways that challenge traditional binaries. Social media platforms can serve as a space for advocacy and visibility for LGBTQ+ communities.

Real-Life Example: TikTok has become a platform where individuals challenge traditional gender roles and provide visibility to non-binary and trans experiences.

Race and Ethnicity Critical Race Theory

Critical Race Theory examines how racial identities are performed and challenged online, and how digital spaces can both amplify racial discrimination (e.g., cyber racism) and act as platforms for racial activism (e.g., #BlackLivesMatter).

Real-Life Example: Social media platforms have been essential in movements such as #BlackLivesMatter, where marginalized racial groups have found a platform to share their stories and advocate for justice.

Ability Status Crip Theory (Robert McRuer)

McRuer explores how digital technologies are reshaping the experiences of people with disabilities. Assistive technologies, like screen readers or adaptive devices, empower people with disabilities, but also highlight accessibility issues in many platforms.

Real-Life Example: Social media accessibility features, such as Twitter's alternative text for images, help visually impaired users engage more fully with content online.

Religious Beliefs and Practices

Digital spaces are increasingly significant for religious expression and community-building. Studies show that digital technology allows for the practice of religion online (e.g., live-streamed sermons, online prayer groups), while also sometimes leading to conflicts around religious representation.

Real-Life Example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many religious institutions shifted to online services, highlighting the role of digital technology in maintaining religious communities.

Social Class (Digital Society)

Organization and Impacts of Social Class

Research explores how digital technologies reinforce or challenge existing social class structures.

Danah Boyd

Boyd's work examines how social media usage differs across social classes, potentially reinforcing existing inequalities.

Real-Life Example: The digital divide, where lower-income individuals have less access to high-speed internet and devices, can perpetuate educational and economic disparities.

Cultural Capital (Pierre Bourdieu)

Pierre Bourdieu's concept of Cultural Capital can be applied to digital spaces, where individuals with more digital literacy and access to technology gain "digital capital" that enhances their social mobility and professional opportunities.

Real-Life Example: In job recruitment, those with better digital skills and LinkedIn profiles tend to have more opportunities, which perpetuates class disparities.

Intersection of Social Class in Major Areas of Life (Max Weber)

Social Stratification Theory (Max Weber) and how digital technology reinforces or breaks down social class barriers, particularly in areas like employment and education.

Real-Life Example: Access to online education during the pandemic highlighted significant class disparities, with students from wealthier families having better access to devices and stable internet connections, while lower-income students struggled to keep up.

Families and Relationships (Digital Society)

Online Relationships and Group Memberships

Studies in this area focus on how digital technologies are changing the nature of personal relationships and community formation.

Weak ties theory (Mark Granovetter)

Granovetter's work on the strength of weak ties has been applied to online social networks, showing how digital connections can provide diverse information and opportunities.

Real-Life Example: Online support groups on platforms like Reddit allow people with rare medical conditions to connect and share experiences, creating new forms of community.

Friendship and Companionship

Research examines how digital technologies impact the formation and maintenance of friendships.

Ambient awareness (Clive Thompson)

Thompson's work explores how social media creates a sense of constant connection to friends through small, frequent updates.

Real-Life Example: Multiplayer online games like Fortnite serve as social spaces where friends can hang out and interact virtually, especially during periods of physical distancing.

Theories on Family Structures and Modernization (Ulrich Beck and Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim)

Ulrich Beck and Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim argue that digital technology has reshaped family structures, allowing for long-distance communication (e.g., WhatsApp, Zoom), maintaining close ties even when geographically apart.

Real-Life Example: Apps like Family Locator allow family members to stay connected and keep track of each other's locations in real-time, which has transformed traditional dynamics of caregiving and family responsibility.

Friendship, Companionship, and Personal Relationships concept of “Alone Together” (Sherry Turkle)

Sherry Turkle’s concept of “Alone Together” discusses how digital technology creates a paradox in personal relationships: people are constantly connected but may feel lonelier.

Real-Life Example: Online dating apps like Tinder and Bumble illustrate the shift in how people form romantic relationships, with technology-mediated interactions becoming more prevalent than face-to-face meetings.

Network Society Theory (Manuel Castells)

Castells emphasizes how digital networks shape new types of social relationships, with online communities and digital subcultures (e.g., fandoms, gaming communities) forming around shared interests rather than geographic proximity.

Real-Life Example: Platforms like Reddit and Discord facilitate communities where people form deep, meaningful connections despite never meeting in person.

This exploration of research and theories helps map out how digital technologies intersect with social components of identity, class, and relationships, influencing how individuals and communities form and function in a digital society.

Digital Society 4.7 Social Key Terms

Dominant Culture

The dominant culture refers to the values, beliefs, and practices that are most widespread or influential in a society, often shaped by those in positions of power (economically, politically, socially). Technology can reinforce dominant cultures by privileging certain languages, norms, or viewpoints over others.

Real-Life Example: On platforms like Instagram and Facebook, Western ideals of beauty and lifestyle are often more prominent, potentially marginalizing non-Western cultures.

Intersectionality

Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to the interconnected nature of social categorizations like race, gender, class, and sexuality, which can overlap to create systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

Real-Life Example: In technology, an intersectional approach might examine how women of color experience both racial and gender biases in online spaces or in algorithm-driven hiring systems.

Race

Race refers to a socially constructed category based on physical characteristics, such as skin color, that have been used historically to categorize and create hierarchies among people. In digital contexts, technology can both amplify and combat racial discrimination.

Real-Life Example: Social media platforms have been instrumental in movements like #BlackLivesMatter, allowing people to share experiences of racial injustice and advocate for change.

Ethnicity

Ethnicity refers to groups of people who share a common culture, language, ancestry, or heritage. Technology affects how ethnic identities are expressed, maintained, or challenged in digital spaces.

Real-Life Example: Platforms like YouTube allow individuals to create content that celebrates their ethnic heritage, while also exposing them to potential cultural appropriation or stereotyping.

Demographic

Demographic refers to statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it, such as age, gender, education, or income. In technology, demographic data is often used to personalize content or target advertisements.

Real-Life Example: Facebook uses demographic information such as age, location, and interests to serve targeted ads to its users.

International-mindedness

International-mindedness is the awareness and appreciation of the world’s interconnectedness, promoting understanding and respect across different cultures. Technology, especially social media, helps foster global perspectives and cultural exchange.

Real-Life Example: Platforms like Twitter allow users to participate in global conversations, from climate change to international conflicts, fostering a sense of shared humanity.

Doxing

Doxing (or doxxing) refers to the act of publicly revealing private or personally identifiable information (such as a home address, phone number, or email) about an individual without their consent, usually with malicious intent. Doxing can be used to harass, threaten, or intimidate someone by exposing them to online or real-world harm. Doxing illustrates the darker side of digital anonymity and the ethical concerns surrounding privacy in online spaces.

Real-Life Example: In 2014, during the GamerGate controversy, several female game developers and critics were doxxed, leading to threats of violence and harassment. Their personal information was posted online, exposing them to coordinated attacks from internet trolls and aggressive online communities.

Disability and Accessibility

Disability refers to physical or mental conditions that may limit an individual’s activities or interactions with society. Accessibility is the design of products or environments to be usable by people with disabilities. In technology, accessibility is crucial for inclusion.

Real-Life Example: Immersive reader technology helps individuals with dyslexia or other reading disabilities access digital content by adjusting text size, color contrast, and even converting text to speech.

Immersive Reader Technology

Immersive reader technology is a tool that improves reading and comprehension by enhancing text formatting, reading aloud, or translating text. It helps individuals with disabilities or non-native speakers engage more fully with digital content.

Real-Life Example: Microsoft’s Immersive Reader helps users with dyslexia or visual impairments by providing options for text-to-speech, changing font sizes, and breaking down complex sentences.

Social Media Bubble

A social media bubble refers to the phenomenon where algorithms personalize content to the point that users are only exposed to information or viewpoints that reinforce their existing beliefs, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives.

Real-Life Example: Facebook’s news feed algorithm might prioritize posts and articles that align with a user’s previous interactions, creating an "echo chamber" of like-minded views.

Social Class

Social class refers to divisions in society based on economic status, education, and occupation. Technology often interacts with social class by providing unequal access to resources and opportunities, reinforcing or challenging class distinctions.

Real-Life Example: Lower-income communities might experience limited access to high-speed internet or devices, which can reinforce educational and economic disparities.

Digital Redlining

Digital redlining is the practice of creating or reinforcing discriminatory practices in digital spaces, where certain groups (often based on race, class, or geography) are systematically denied access to technology or information.

Real-Life Example: Internet providers offering lower-quality service or higher prices in predominantly minority or low-income neighborhoods, which limits access to essential digital services.

Proxy Discrimination

Proxy discrimination occurs when algorithms or technologies use a neutral variable (a proxy) that correlates with a protected characteristic (such as race or gender) to indirectly discriminate.

Real-Life Example: An algorithm that denies loan applications might not explicitly consider race, but if it uses zip codes (which are correlated with racial demographics), it may result in discriminatory lending practices.

Predictive Policing

Predictive policing refers to the use of algorithms to predict where crimes are likely to occur based on historical data, directing law enforcement to certain locations. However, it can perpetuate biases if the data itself reflects racial or socioeconomic inequalities.

Real-Life Example: The "PredPol" system in the U.S. has been criticized for disproportionately targeting minority communities, reinforcing existing racial biases in law enforcement.

Recidivism

Recidivism refers to the tendency of convicted criminals to reoffend. In a technological context, algorithms can predict recidivism rates to inform decisions about bail, parole, or sentencing, but this raises ethical concerns about fairness and bias.

Real-Life Example: The COMPAS algorithm, used in U.S. courts to assess the likelihood of recidivism, has been found to disproportionately label Black defendants as high-risk, raising questions about racial bias in criminal justice algorithms.

IB Digital Society (4.7 SOCIAL) Research Question

Social Components of Identity

International-mindedness and Common Humanity

• To what extent has the "global village" created by digital technologies contributed to fostering global citizenship and international solidarity among young people?

• How do social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram shape the way individuals perceive and participate in global movements (e.g., environmental activism, human rights)?

Age and Demographics

• How do generational differences in the use of digital technologies influence social interactions and learning experiences?

• To what extent does the digital divide reinforce inequalities between different age groups in terms of access to education and job opportunities?

Gender, Expression, and Sexuality

• How do social media platforms enable individuals to challenge traditional gender roles, and what are the implications for gender identity expression among younger users?

• In what ways have dating apps like Tinder and Grindr influenced the visibility and expression of LGBTQ+ identities?

Race and Ethnicity

• How have online movements such as #BlackLivesMatter transformed conversations about race and ethnicity in the digital age?

• To what extent does digital technology exacerbate or mitigate racial discrimination in online spaces (e.g., social media, gaming)?

Ability Status

• How effective are assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers, captioning) in promoting digital inclusion for people with disabilities?

• What are the social implications of increased digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities in education and employment?

Religious Beliefs and Practices

• How has the shift to digital religious practices (e.g., live-streamed services, online prayer groups) influenced community formation and religious identity?

• In what ways do digital platforms create both opportunities and challenges for religious expression?

Social Class

Organization and Impacts of Social Class

• To what extent do social media platforms perpetuate social class divisions by reinforcing existing disparities in access to digital literacy and technology?

• How has the digital divide affected opportunities for social mobility, particularly in education and employment?

Intersection of Social Class in Major Areas of Life

• How has the unequal access to digital technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted or exacerbated social class disparities in education?

• In what ways does the development of "digital capital" influence job prospects and economic outcomes for individuals from different social classes?

Families and Relationships

Online Relationships and Group Memberships

• How do online communities and digital subcultures challenge traditional notions of family and community in the digital age?

• In what ways has social media facilitated or hindered the development of meaningful, supportive relationships among young people?

Friendship, Companionship, and Personal Relationships

• To what extent has the rise of online gaming and social networks reshaped the way young people form and maintain friendships?

• How has the use of dating apps transformed the dynamics of romantic relationships, particularly in terms of long-term commitment and trust?

Family Structures and Modernization

• In what ways has digital technology reshaped the roles and responsibilities within family structures, particularly regarding caregiving and communication?

• How do digital technologies challenge or reinforce traditional family dynamics in cross-generational interactions?