This slideshow discusses the changing definition of the digital divide, showing how social media and being connected weren't an obvious part of life previously, and how, today, being connected affects our lives so deeply that it affects our careers. All of the images are creative commons; I take no claim to their creation.

1. The question is no
longer IF we are
connected,
But HOW well are we
connected.
The Changing
Digital Divide

2. The (original) Digital Divide:
The divide used to be between the iHaves vs.
iHaveNots, where only some had access to
technology and information

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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)

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

9. 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)

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

11. Who cares about our social media and
social influence? Employers

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

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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)

16. 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)

17. 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)

18. 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)

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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