BARRIERS TO ACCESS TO DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR PEOPLE FROM THE ROMA COMMUNITY

Abstract

The global world in which we live and the penetration of digital technologies into various social spheres are increasingly becoming a necessary and important condition for realization in life. A number of analyzes are available in the scientific literature that show that digitalization processes accelerate social differentiation by increasing the vulnerability of certain social groups, called the digitally vulnerable. This, in turn, reinforces social inequalities and leads to further fragmentation of society. If we have to paraphrase Dahrendorf's thesis, it states that for the digital transition to happen, digital technologies must increase the opportunities and improve the life chances of different social groups in society. A research question of great practical importance is how the technological transition, instead of deepening socio-economic inequalities, creates an opportunity for realization, including for the individuals and groups against whom the statistical data show a lag in use? There are several studies that report that the benefits and opportunities that these technologies offer are still inaccessible to a large part of individuals who have a lower social status. Conducted qualitative studies proved that the Roma ethnic community is not homogeneous. Among them there are persons who are educated and successfully apply digital technologies in their daily life. However, there are also many cases where the lack of motivation and the inability to break out of the vicious cycle of poverty prevents many individuals from taking advantage of these technologies. According to a quantitative sociological survey conducted in February 2024 by the "Guide" agency, there are a number of objective and subjective factors that contribute to some social groups in society being called digitally vulnerable. These are the possibilities of accessing the Internet, the presence of a certain level of digital skills, motivation and desire to use these technologies for personal development, the degree of completed education, place of residence, gender, age (Digital participation. Report of the Agency “Nasoka”, 2024 :4). The report examines the barriers faced by representatives of the Roma ethnic community when using new technologies. Based on the results of conducted qualitative studies (in-depth interviews and focus group discussions within the framework of the project "Digital divide and social inequalities: levels, actors and interactions", financed by the Scientific Research Fund at the Ministry of Education and Culture, as well as on a secondary analysis of the results of quantitative research, the most common barriers that limit the access of a large part of the representatives of the Roma ethnic community to a number of public spheres will be identified, as well as concrete measures aimed at reducing them.