The Digital Privilege Walk is a reflective exercise aimed at exploring issues of digital access, equity, and the impact of AI tools and digital platforms on artistic freedom and personal identity.
The tool was developed by dr Alicja Pawluczuk – a Research Fellow at the IN+ Network. Durint the exercise, participants are asked to physically take steps forward or backwards in response to a series of questions, providing a visual representation of their digital privilege or challenges.
Venue set-up
- Choose an open space where participants can freely move forward or backward.
- Mark a starting line for all participants to begin from.
- Ensure everyone understands the confidentiality and non-judgmental nature of the exercise.
Participant instructions
- Begin by standing on the starting line.
- As each statement is read aloud, step forward or backwards based on whether the statement applies to you.
- This is a personal reflection exercise; there are no right or wrong answers
Digital equity is not a one-size-fits-all concept—it varies depending on factors such as economic background, local infrastructure, education, identity, and the societal norms that shape our digital experiences. You're encouraged to create your own questions. To reflect on digital equity, consider the unique cultural, social, and geographical contexts in which digital tools and platforms are accessed and used.
Adding your questions & local perspectives
Here are some tips for developing personalised questions:
- Consider local barriers: Reflect on the particular challenges faced by people in your community. For example, if internet connectivity is a common issue, ask about access to reliable networks, or if there are restrictions on digital content, explore the impact of government policies.
- Acknowledge cultural norms: Think about how culture influences people’s engagement with digital platforms. Are there societal expectations that affect how individuals present themselves online, or are there cultural stigmas around certain types of content or participation?
- Recognise social identities: Digital spaces can amplify or suppress certain voices. Consider how gender, race, sexual orientation, or other aspects of identity might affect representation, security, and access to digital platforms in your community.
- Reflect on economic disparities: Develop questions that account for the financial realities people face, such as whether they can afford technology upgrades, high-speed internet, or the cost of digital education and tools.
- Address digital literacies: In some communities, access to technology may not be enough if digital literacy skills are lacking. Ask about access to digital education and how comfortable people feel navigating various platforms and tools.
Limitations: are we oversimplifying digital [in]equity?
The Digital Privilege Walk serves as a tool to highlight digital access disparities. However, it shares several limitations with traditional privilege walks that need to be addressed to make the exercise more effective and inclusive. Below we share key limitations and suggestions for mitigating them.
| Limitation | Description | Mitigation |
| Oversimplification of digital equity | The exercise might reduce complex digital inequities to personal experiences, missing out on the larger systemic structures that underpin digital disparities. | You can start the walk with an introduction to systemic digital inequality, exploring with participants on how power structures and policies shape digital access. |
| Risk of alienation | The walk might create a divide between those seen as digitally privileged and those who are not, potentially leading to feelings of guilt, shame, or resentment. | It might be useful to emphasise the exercise as a way to foster understanding and solidarity, encouraging discussions on how participants can work together to address digital inequalities. |
| Reinforcment of hierrachy of digital opression | Ranking participants based on digital experiences may overshadow the collective nature of digital access issues. | Include prompts that highlight common struggles, fostering a sense of unity. During reflection, shift focus towards how shared challenges can be addressed collectively. |
| Lack of focus on broader power inequalities and control | Concentrates on individual access and literacy, potentially diverting attention from systemic issues like corporate control, government policies, and economic roots of the digital divide. | Add prompts about experiences with digital platform control and government policies. Encourage discussions around policy advocacy and public investment in digital infrastructure. |
Questions for the Walk
Access to technology:
- Step forward if you have regular access to a personal computer or smartphone.
- Step forward if you have access to the latest technology or devices needed for your work.
- Step backward if you cannot afford to replace or repair your digital devices when they break.
- Step forward if you have access to technical support when you face issues with your digital tools.
Internet connectivity:
- Step forward if you can afford high-speed internet service.
- Step backward if your internet connection is unreliable or slow.
- Step forward if you can access the internet from home whenever you need to.
Digital literacy:
- Step forward if you feel confident using digital platforms to create and share your work.
- Step backward if you’ve never had formal education or training in digital tools and technologies.
- Step forward if you can navigate new software or digital platforms without difficulty.
- Step backward if you do not understand how algorithms and data collection affect your online experience.
Digital privacy and security:
- Step forward if you feel confident that your data is secure when using digital platforms.
- Step backward if you are unsure how to protect your online privacy.
- Step forward if you feel safe sharing personal or creative content online.
- Step backward if you have experienced significant harassment or trolling online.
Identity and representation:
- Step forward if you see people like yourself represented positively on the digital platforms you use.
- Step backward if you do not feel comfortable expressing your identity (e.g., gender, race, sexuality) online.
- Step forward if you have not experienced discrimination or bias based on your identity in digital spaces.
- Step backward if your creative work has been subject to censorship or restriction in online spaces.
Economic and social barriers:
- Step forward if you do not need to rely on public spaces (e.g., libraries, cafes) for internet access.
- Step backward if you’ve had to choose between affording digital access and other basic needs (e.g., food, housing).
- Step forward if your ability to create and share your work is not limited by financial constraints.
Geography and infrastructure:
- Step forward if you live in a region where digital infrastructure is reliable and well-maintained.
- Step backward if you face barriers to accessing digital spaces because of where you live.
- Step backward if government policies in your region restrict your digital access.
Professional and creative Impact:
- Step forward if you can easily share your creative work with a wide online audience.
- Step backward if you have had your work copied, stolen, or misused online without your consent.
- Step forward if you can generate income or professional opportunities through digital platforms.
Health and well-being:
- Step forward if you do not experience physical or mental strain from spending time online.
- Step backward if you rely on digital spaces for all your social interactions.
- Step forward if your creative work is not affected by ‘digital burnout’ or exhaustion.
Digital Inclusion and advocacy:
- Step forward if you feel included in online creative and professional communities.
- Step forward if you actively engage in discussions or efforts to promote digital equity.
- Step backward if you feel that digital platforms are not designed with people like you in mind.
Debrief and discussion
After the walk, gather participants to discuss their reflections:
- What did they notice about their position?
- How did it feel to move forward or backwards for specific questions?
- Were there any surprises or moments of reflection about their digital privileges or barriers?
This discussion can help deepen understanding of digital access disparities and the importance of inclusivity and equity in creative spaces, particularly as they relate to AI and digital platforms.