Digitalisation and Digital Security, Platfontein



Digitalisation and Digital Security, Platfontein

Digitalisation – the utilisation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by societies and communities to such an extent that they begin to transform multiple aspects of social life (Brennen and Kreiss 2014 [link]) – is changing everyday life around the globe. Hardly news to anyone. Yet, how it actually does this and which aspects of social life it changes in different places, are questions worth asking. This was the starting point of a workshop on digitalisation and digital security at X-K FM – a community radio station based in Platfontein, near Kimberley in South Africa, and serving the local !Xun and Khwe communities [link].

It turned out that both work and private life have changed and are changing rapidly due to digitalisation. Work habits at the radio station become modified when additional digital technology is adopted, for example, the station broadcasts online [link] thus reaching an audience beyond the communities living in Platfontein and is running a project on the digitization of cultural knowledge. Similarly, people use mobile phones, a number of different applications, social media, online market places, and digital services provided by manifold service producers for running their affairs and keeping contact with, for example, relatives in the neighbouring countries. Having relatives and friends behind the state borders is normal, for the !Xun and Khwe only arrived in South Africa about 30 years ago [link].

The purpose of the workshop was two-fold: I would collect research data parallel to the ECoHuCy-project [link] and the participants would gain an improved awareness of digital security issues through our discussion and group works. The co-created knowledge could then be used by the radio station in its internal policies, as well as in its programmes hence improving general awareness within the communities. The questions I had prepared included: How are people using ICTs? Which aspects of life digitalisation has transformed? What kind of digital trajectories people would welcome and/or like to avoid? Discussion was guided by topics chosen and stories told by the participants. We began with privacy and Facebook.

Photograph Pirjo Puurunen
 
The future digital trajectories – both positive and negative – became the most interesting part of the workshop. Many of the issues raised are common in all corners of the world, such as quick and easy service access; easiness of communication; time savings; lessened need for travel; online news, magazines and programmes; online shopping; as well as cybercrime; identity thefts; hacking; extensive openness; online monitoring; and lack of digital knowledge. Yet, some of the issues reflect more the social realities of the society, for example, the desire to be able to apply for jobs online, improved access to governmental services and mobile banking, as well as the threat of digitally based human trafficking and threatening of one’s life online. So far, nobody has a magical solution to digital security problems, but by knowing the risks, paying attention, and behaving in a smart manner one is able to reduce his or her vulnerability online.

The group work material was left to the X-K FM. I will return to Platfontein four months later. It will be exciting to hear what use the radio station has made of it.




Mirva Salminen
Researcher
Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law
Arctic Centre
University of Lapland

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