July 5, 2026

Despite the widespread adoption of digital services post-COVID where e-transactions, telecommuting, and online activities have become the norm, societal attitudes toward digital equality and strategies to achieve it remain underexplored. In ‘Campaigning for Digital Equality: the Role of Digital Access Attitudes in a Neoliberal Context’ (Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 2024), Professor Irene Ng (NUS Social Work & NUS Social Service Research Centre), Arthur Soh (NUS Social Service Research Centre), Associate Professor Natalie Pang (NUS Communications and New Media), Sathosh Kumar (Soul Probe), and Ng Bee Leng (Allkin Singapore) investigate the sociodemographic roots of digital access attitudes – societal perspectives on the availability and distribution of digital resources– within Singapore’s neoliberal environment, which is characterised by high digital penetration. Their study aims to inform digital policies by identifying opportunities for enhanced digital redistribution and pinpointing sources of resistance to these efforts.

The study’s methodology consisted of a poll by Allkin Singapore as part of a campaign to raise awareness about digital inequality and advocate for universal digital access by treating digital resources as basic necessities. Using the AI-powered tool OPPi, the poll gathered data from 857 respondents, assessing their personal digital needs, perceptions of societal digital access, and support for the campaign’s goals. The researchers combined multivariate analysis of the poll data with content analysis of respondents’ comments to explore the relationship between participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and their digital access attitudes.

The study revealed mixed perceptions regarding the need for pervasive digital access across society, with attitudes varying significantly by age and socioeconomic status (SES). Younger respondents were more inclined to emphasise the necessity of digital resources, while some older and low-income individuals expressed lower interest by citing limited knowledge and low job relevance as critical factors. Despite these differences, over 80% of respondents supported the campaign’s goals of universal digital access. These included ensuring laptops are provided for all students, smartphones for all adults, and government-subsidised internet connections – crucial for lower SES participants who heavily rely on mobile data due to inadequate home internet access.

The study concluded by highlighting the potential impact of neoliberal values. While public and social service workers often sympathise with digitally vulnerable individuals, they may resist universal provision of digital devices due to personal beliefs. The researchers thereby emphasise the need to address digital inequality as a key social issue, especially in highly digitised societies. Social workers can play a vital role in bridging the digital divide by gathering insights from clients, donors, practitioners, and policymakers, helping to shape effective strategies for promoting digital access.

Read the article here.