Abstract
The digital revolution has transformed global communication, education, and economic opportunities, yet indigenous tribal communities across South Asia remain systematically excluded from its benefits. This paper examines the structural and cultural dimensions of the Indigenous Digital Divide-the disparity in access, skills, and representation that perpetuates socio-economic marginalization among tribal populations in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. While urban centers advance technologically, remote tribal settlements grapple with inadequate infrastructure, linguistic barriers, and a lack of digital content reflecting their knowledge systems. These exclusions reinforce cycles of poverty and political disenfranchisement, undermining the democratic potential of digital culture. Through qualitative analysis of policy frameworks, ethnographic case studies, and interviews with educators and activists, this paper highlights how top-down digital initiatives often fail to address tribal needs. In contrast, community-led media literacy programs-such as multilingual digital platforms, participatory radio, and locally adapted e-governance tools-demonstrate the transformative power of culturally grounded approaches. The paper argues that bridging the digital divide requires more than technical access; it demands reimagining media literacy through indigenous epistemologies, languages, and pedagogies. The implications extend beyond connectivity: inclusive digital practices can enhance tribal livelihoods, preserve endangered languages, and amplify marginalized voices in public discourse. By centering indigenous agency in technology design and policy, this study proposes a roadmap for equitable digital inclusion. Its findings aim to inform policymakers, NGOs, and educators working at the intersection of media literacy, cultural preservation, and socio-economic justice in South Asia and other postcolonial contexts facing similar challenges.
Presenters
Jinan ThenuttykallingalPost Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of English, University of Calicut , Kerala, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—From Democratic Aesthetics to Digital Culture
KEYWORDS
DIGITAL DIVIDE, MEDIA LITERACY, ALGORITHMIC BIAS, SOUTH ASIA, LANGUAGE SOVEREIGNTY
