Author(s)

Yilin Fang ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Faculty of Foreign Languages, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China

Corresponding Author

Yilin Fang

ABSTRACT

This paper critically examines the complexities of the digital divide, arguing that unequal access to technology reflects and amplifies deeper social, economic, and cultural inequalities. While initiatives to distribute devices and expand internet connections are often seen as solutions, they frequently overlook structural barriers such as poverty, education, gender, language, and disability. Using examples from global contexts, the paper highlights how marginalized groups—including women, people with disabilities, rural communities, and minority language speakers—remain excluded from meaningful digital participation. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these disparities, especially in education. True digital inclusion, the paper argues, requires more than hardware or infrastructure: it must address intersectional barriers by fostering digital literacy, supporting local content creation, and ensuring continuous community engagement. The conclusion calls for policies that prioritize social justice, sustainable support, and the active participation of those most affected by exclusion, moving beyond simple connectivity to ensure that technology serves everyone equitably.

KEYWORDS

Digital Divide; Social Justice; Technology Access; Digital Inclusion; Intersectionality; Education; Marginalized Communities; Equity; COVID-19

CITE THIS PAPER

Yilin Fang. Bridging the Digital Divide: A Critical Analysis of Social Justice and Equity in Technology Access. Media and Communication Research (2026). Vol. 7, No.1, 75-80. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/mediacr.2026.070112.

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