The question is no longer IF we are connected, But HOW well are we connected.

The Changing Digital Divide

The (original) Digital Divide:

The divide used to be between the iHaves vs. iHaveNots, where only some had access to

technology and information

Older generations are less likely to adopt newer technologies (1)

 

The Digital Divide is formed based on a few factors, including: education, household income, disability, generation/age, and location (e.g. rural vs. urban)

In 2013, IBM forecast that the Digital Divide would end in 2017…

…due to the gap between iHaves and iHaveNots being bridged by mobile technology (e.g.

tablets, phones)

This can be measured in a few different ways, including Klout.

A new Digital Divide is emerging, based on your social media popularity and influence.

Klout is a website and app that uses

social media analytics to rank users based on online social

influence, represented as a "Klout Score”. A Klout score is a

number between 1 and 100 which represents your

influence. The more influential you are,

the higher your Klout Score.

Understanding social media influence is useful for brands, because they can approach everyday social media users with high levels of influence and use them as brand ambassadors or influencers (2)

“We are living in a world now where visibility creates opportunities and reputation builds trust.” (3)

Marketing and advertising strategies are constantly evolving with technology and trends

“Social media may still only drive a small share of total online retail sales, but its impact is becoming impossible to ignore.” (4)

It no longer about IF we are connected, but HOW well

Who cares about our social media and social influence? Employers

Some employers will look at any online profiles that they can access, but different companies have different positions on accessing social media

Job hunting is moving online to social media sites (5). Employers are looking at Twitter as the new resume, learning info about you in 140 characters or less (6).

Because it’s the easiest way to learn about who you are, personality and skills-wise – and you may not even know it’s happening

Social media skills are becoming increasingly important for nearly any job…

…Just like proficiency in Microsoft Office is a basic skill, social media skills are largely being regarded in a similar way (7)

Your number of social media followers can affect chances for certain positions where social media

skills are important.

Lots of followers can show that you are already proficient at using social media for branding

(Software Is Eating The Job Market)

Work on Digital Literacy

As a result, you may have more social influence, a better persona online, and a greater chance at future careers –  Definition: digitally literate person is able to use, understand and

create digital media (8)

–  Posting carefully on social media, cleaning up posts –  Mother test: would you show this to mom? (9)

Why work on digital literacy?

Weak digital literacy skills can get you fired – or never hired in the first place. Social media users often misunderstand profiles as private when they’re publically available (10)

How to use social media to be on the better side of the divide

•  Branding yourself •  Establish a name •  Clear online

presence •  Hyper-

connectivity (11)

Hyper-connectivity is the driving force for retail, more than anything else. That’s why employers look for people who

understand social influence

Brand ambassadors and social media influencers can be used for your brand’s benefit

Before one can be digitally literate, have a strong personal brand or persona online, or use twitter as a

resume…

…one must have access to technology  

Therefore, the factors of the old digital divide still affect the new digital divide

The definition of the digital divide is evolving, not changing entirely and forgetting its past

1.  Wu, Ya-Huei et al. “Bridging the Digital Divide in Older Adults: A Study from an Initiative to Inform Older Adults about New Technologies.” Clinical Interventions in Aging 10 (2015): 193–201. PMC. Web. 10 June 2015.

2.  Hao, Wei (Andy). "Return on Influence: The Revolutionary Power of Klout, Social Scoring, and Influence Marketing." Rev. of Return on Influence: The Revolutionary Power of Klout, Social Scoring, and Influence Marketing. Journal of Consumer Marketing 30.6 (2013): 538-40. Emerald Insight. Web. 10 June 2015

3.  Schawbel, Dan. "The Reputation Economy Is Coming - Are You Prepared?" Forbes. N.p., 28 Feb. 2011. Web. 10 June 2015. 4.  Smith, Cooper. "It's Time for Retailers to Start Paying Close Attention to Social Media." Business Insider. Business Insider,

Inc, 09 June 2015. Web. 10 June 2015. 5.  Schlesinger, Jill. "For Job Seekers, the Hunt Is Increasingly Digital." CBS News. N.p., 5 June 2015. Web. 10 June 2015. 6.  Silverman, Rachel E., and Lauren Weber. "The New Résumé: It's 140 Characters; some Recruiters, Job Seekers Turn to

Twitter, but Format is a Challenge; Six-Second Video Goes Viral." Wall Street Journal (Online)Apr 09 2013. ProQuest. Web. 10 June 2015.

7.  Gallagher, Sean. "Software Is Eating The Job Market." TechCrunch. N.p., 9 June 2015. Web. 10 June 2015. 8.  Johnson, Matthew. "Use, Understand & Create: Towards a Comprehensive Canadian Digital Literacy Curriculum." Media

Smarts: Canada's Centre for Digital and Media Literacy (2015): n. pag. 31 Mar. 2015. Web. 10 June 2015. 9.  Bowness, Suzanne. "Five Ways to Be a Smart Social Media User in Your Job Hunt." The Globe and Mail. N.p., 10 Jan. 2013.

Web. 10 June 2015. 10.  Hunter, Michele. "Indiscreet Social Media Posts Put Jobs on the Line." The New Zealand Herald. N.p., 24 May 2015. Web.

10 June 2015. 11.  Chamorro-Premuzic, Tomas. "The Future of You." Harvard Business Review. N.p., 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 10 June 2015.

Sources