"Access and Appropriation of Digital Technologies Among Tribal Communities: A Sociological Study in Odisha, India"

The advent of new media and innovations in ICTs has revolutionized human society, bringing swift change in social, economic, political, and cultural realms, and giving rise to the emergence of a new society called the “information society” (Castells, 1996). Despite these advancements, ICT penetration remains limited among the marginalized sections, due to their entrenched socioeconomic, spatial, institutional, and cultural barriers leading to unequal access to opportunities. Research examining ICT mitigating or exacerbating digital inequalities is gaining relevance in the spread of the digital world. The paper attempts to problematize how the socio-demographic factors constrain digital equality thus contributing to digital disparities within the region among the tribals. It further explores how the tribal communities in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, where 58.72 percent of the population is tribal (Census 2011), negotiate with digital tools in their everyday lives. While digital technologies have the potential to foster holistic development and encourage digital citizenship, unequal access to digital infrastructure, opportunities, and digital skills exacerbates existing socioeconomic and political disparities. Based on participant observation, and semi-structured interviews the study reveals that factors such as geographical location, income, education, and socio-cultural beliefs reinforce digital inequalities among tribal communities. It further states, that though access and adoption of digital tools has brought development for some, many are still excluded from availing the benefits within the same spatial setting. Drawing on Manuel Castells’s theory on Network society and Van Dijk’s theory on the Digital divide, the study underscores the importance of exploring how social, economic, and spatial factors influence access, adoption, and appropriation of digital technologies. It also attempts to examine how inequalities get accentuated or reinforced through digital services among tribes in India.