"the Emerging Significance of Space in the Digital Age"

The configurations of new media and its impact on human society have been unparalleled. Recent innovations in ICTs have brought out paradigm shifts in the social, economic, political, and cultural aspects of human lives, and given rise to the emergence of a new society called the “information age” or “information society” (Castells, 1996). Critical to the spread of digital society is space. While space has always been a fundamental element of the technology-society interface, its relevance has increased in the present digital world. Research examining the significance of physical space reveals that space as a geographical location is increasingly becoming relevant in the spread of the digital world. Space is constructed not just as a physical constraint but also as a sociocultural and economic entity. Sociocultural and economic features of a society are greatly embedded in space. Despite technological advancements, spatial disparities persist across countries and regions, leading to unequal access to opportunities. The paper attempts to problematize, how space constraints digital equality thus contributing to digital inequalities. Adopting the socio-spatial perspective the paper describes how digital technologies are constructed and adopted in different spatial settings like, rural, urban, and tribal. Digital platforms have the potential to foster digital citizenship, encouraging more people to engage in the democratic process. However, the unequal perception of technological infrastructure, opportunities, and access exacerbates socioeconomic and political disparities. Based on a review of research studies, the paper will present an intense review of spatial factors that impact the use of technology, and advancement and ensure equitable access to digital resources irrespective of any fact.