Abstract
The democratizing promise of social media platforms remains contested in an era of increasing digital disparity. This study investigates the intersection of socioeconomic status and social media engagement in New York City’s diverse urban landscape. Through qualitative analysis of 50 semi-structured interviews with participants across varied income levels, we examine how social class shapes digital participation and opportunity. The research framework addresses three critical aspects: technical accessibility, algorithmic visibility, and social capital development. Our findings reveal that despite comparable time spent on platforms, users from lower socioeconomic backgrounds encounter significant obstacles in translating social media presence into tangible professional benefits. Key barriers include varying levels of digital competency, inconsistent internet infrastructure, and algorithmic systems that inadvertently favor users from privileged backgrounds. The study documents how participants from lower socioeconomic strata consistently report reduced content reach, limited networking capabilities, and restricted access to career advancement opportunities. Grounded in Digital Divide Theory and Network Society frameworks, our analysis suggests that social media ecosystems may be reinforcing offline socioeconomic stratification through technical and algorithmic mechanisms. Drawing from successful digital equity initiatives, we propose targeted interventions including community-based digital skill programs, expanded public internet infrastructure, and transparent algorithmic accountability measures. These findings offer valuable insights for platform developers, policymakers, and digital equity advocates working to create more inclusive online spaces.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
DIGITAL INEQUALITY, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, ALGORITHMIC BIAS
