As a consequence of exclusion from education about and exposure to mobile technologies, there will continue to be a skills ladder in which low-paid, service sector employees will not have the opportunity to demand the benefits that mobile technologies offer – such as the demand to work flexibly and further training. Yet the spread of mobile data usage is not a white collar revolution exclusively, and the onus of adoption and training lies on organisations themselves. The inverse of the future world in which digital exclusion continues is the potential that mobile technologies offer for real democracy, such as the frequent sampling of public opinion and the enabling those who are currently prevented from working because of physical limitations.
On-line networks are becoming more selective as individuals cluster with similar people. Will living on-line create more social exclusion?
At the same time, will digital interaction create more opportunities for connections and inclusion?