This collection of essay stimulates critical engagement with often subtle, implicit ideas of technological determinism and calls for cultural and contextual sensitivity. The contributing authors discuss their topic with impressive intellectual wealth and invite to rethink the transformative potential of new ICTs for participation, citizenship, and democracy in the digital age. On the way, Servaes makes a compelling argument for fostering digital literacy as something that is not important for those at the margins of digital communication societies alone but also for people in digital communication rich countries.... This anthology presents a convincing assemblage of arguments emphasizing that understanding social change also requires a sense for historical continuity, cultural and geographical contexts, and contingency of social processes that shape, inform, and limit the social appropriation of technology and cultural development.

New Media & Society

[Jan Servaes] has edited a valuable collection of essays that oppose technological determinism and idealism, instrumentalism and quick-fix solutions to long-term problems. It should be widely read.

European Journal Of Communication

The struggle to apply contextually sensitive and genuinely participatory models and practices in the challenge of ensuring that the digital technologies are responsive to a multiplicity of needs is ongoing. The contributors to this book rightly insist that access to technology is never a sufficient underpinning for sustainable social change that is consistent with democratic values. This book should be widely read and its lessons integrated within all efforts to encourage theory and practice designed to empower people through their use of information and communication technologies.

Robin Mansell, London School of Economics and Political Science

Servaes has edited a wealth of essays about the relation of technology and social change. Most chapters debunk the popular instrumentalism and solutionism of new technologies. However, technology is both defining and enabling. The book shows that in the end social and human factors prevail. For example, digital media promise more democracy and access for all, but in practice they could also lead to control or oppression and inequality of actual benefits.

Jan A.G.M. van Dijk, University of Twente

A strong and compelling demystification of technology that should be read widely. The contributors deserve more than 3 A’s for their intelligent and persuasive discussions that challenge prevailing views of technology’s role in society.

Janet Wasko, University of Oregon

Technological determinism keeps haunting research and policy in the field of communication. This book provides—through its scholarly contents and excellent structure—essential guidance to understand how deterministic approaches stand in the way of putting people first and facilitating sustainable social change. Invaluable reading for researchers, teachers and policymakers!

Cees J. Hamelink, University of Amsterdam