Feminism, Citizenship and the Digital Era

Digital citizenship has never been more relevant or important in an information age characterised by datafication, social networking and the rapid pace of technological change.

While there is no universally accepted definition of digital citizenship, scholars and practitioners have focused their attention on digital access and skills, digital resilience, digital activism, and digital rights and responsibilities. Governments, educational institutions and technology corporations are also increasingly adopting the language of digital citizenship, predominantly as a means to address cybersafety concerns to assist people to use the internet both safely and responsibly.

While in the early days of the internet, there was much optimism surrounding the ways in which online engagements might overcome the traditional constraints of gender, scholars and activists have clearly shown that gender inequality in the digital era remains a significant problem. This is illustrated by the gender digital divide, the in-built biases in the development of artificial intelligence and algorithms, and the widespread problem of technology-facilitated abuse.

These issues don't affect women equally, but rather disproportionately impact on Indigenous women, women of colour, LGBTIQ+ people, those with disabilities, and women in the Global South.

Share

Upcoming events

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.