Inequality in Education and New Challenges in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies

Abstract

This communication is aimed to address the inequalities that occur today among young people due to the use of the information and communication technologies. The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are an important part of the lives of young people today, they are ‘digital natives’. Internet, mobile phone and social networks are no longer virtual reality but has become another way to stay in touch with the rest of the world, for social participation and to access information. The opportunities and the potential offered by ICT are infinite but “despite creating possibilities for improving quality of life, the social model that is predominant increases old inequalities and generates new ones” (Flecha, 1994, p. 58). Unfortunately access to information that is “objective, complete, updated, accurate, practical and easy to use” (ERYICA, 2004) is a right that is not equally available to all young people. The new challenge in the information society makes it essential to facilitate access to ICT and to promote digital literacy, for both young people and youth work professionals. After analysing studies and statistics on young people's use of ICT, we come to the conclusion that the digital gap exists also among those who regularly use ICT. That is why new socio-cultural intervention models should be developed to minimize the effects of inequalities caused by the use of technologies.