Inside the digital society

David Souter writes a weekly column for APC, looking at different aspects of the information society, development and rights. David’s pieces take a fresh look at many of the issues that concern APC and its members, with the aim of provoking discussion and debate. Issues covered include internet governance and sustainable development, human rights and the environment, policy, practice and the use of ICTs by individuals and communities.

Inside the Information Society: Cybersecurity
Inside the Information Society: Cybersecurity 13 February 2018 David Souter

Cybersecurity’s become the most important issue for many people working on the future of the Internet.  

Inside the Information Society: Growing up online
Inside the Information Society: Growing up online 06 February 2018

A third of the world’s Internet users, says UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children report, on Children in a Digital World, are younger than 18. How they use it shapes their attitudes, behaviour, opportunities, and therefore shapes their futures. That deserves more – and more sophisticated – attention from the Internet’s stakeholders than it gets.

Inside the Information Society: After access - upgrading the evidence base on ICT access in development
Inside the Information Society: After access - upgrading the evidence base on ICT access in development 22 January 2018 David Souter

This week's instalment looks at an important new source of evidence on access and use in developing countries.

Inside the Information Society: Finding indicators for the way ahead
Inside the Information Society: Finding indicators for the way ahead 15 January 2018 David Souter

This week’s post looks at UNESCO’s current consultation on indicators for ‘Internet universality’.

Inside the Information Society: What's coming up in 2018
Inside the Information Society: What's coming up in 2018 08 January 2018 David Souter

Sharp-eyed readers will have noticed that ‘Inside the Information Society’ took a break towards the end of last year.  It’s back today, with a long list of themes up and ready for 2018.  

Inside the Information Society: What is the impact of the internet on politics?
Inside the Information Society: What is the impact of the internet on politics? 06 November 2017 David Souter

This week’s blog looks at the impact of the Internet on politics.

Inside the Information Society: Social Media, saint or sinner?
Inside the Information Society: Social Media, saint or sinner? 30 October 2017 David Souter

Too much debate about the Information Society is binary. To advocates, anything digital looks good. Others are spooked by impacts that are uncontrolled and unbenign. If we’re serious, we need to be more nuanced. Some reflection on this where social media’s concerned this week; next week, the Internet’s impact on politics.

Inside the Information Society: Measuring the Information Society
Inside the Information Society: Measuring the Information Society 23 October 2017 David Souter

In a previous post, I looked at different ways to measure the internet. This week, we'll look into measuring the Information Society.

Inside the Information Society: Policies for the digital economy
Inside the Information Society: Policies for the digital economy 16 October 2017 David Souter

Last week I looked at the big picture on the digital economy, in the light of UNCTAD’s latest Information Economy Report. This week: some of the issues the digital economy raises for policymakers at a national and local level.

Inside the Information Society: Whose digital economy?
Inside the Information Society: Whose digital economy? 08 October 2017 David Souter

This week’s post is the first of two on the digital economy. UNCTAD – the UN Conference on Trade and Development – published its two-yearly Information Economy Report (IER) last week. It’s consistently one of the more interesting UN publications on the Information Society. Well worth a read.

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