Digitalization offers many opportunities, but it also carries risks for the social cohesion in the Netherlands. According to The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) and The Netherlands Study Centre for Technology Trends (STT), less visible consequences, such as increasing inequality and individualization, are not yet being addressed to a sufficient degree in current digitalization policy.
Digital techologies such as social media, artificial intelligence and online customer service are increasingly embedded in our daily lives. Although these innovations enable efficiency and new social interactions, they can also contribute to social and digital inequality. People with higher levels of education and income tend to benefit more from digitalization, while others are at risk of falling behind. This can lead to more social divisions and a decrease in trust between citizens and government. Furthermore, digitalization can further strengthen individualization, which can put pressures on the social fabric in the long term.
To manage these developments, SCP and STT are advocating a broader approach to digitalization policy. The focus should not only be on promoting technology skills and access to digital resources, but the social and societal effects of digitalization should also be explicitly considered. This will require collaboration between government bodies, corporations and citizens. The report ‘Digitaal vervlochten, maar ook verbonden?’ (Digitally intertwined, but also connected?), on which this article is based, emphasizes that digitalization can only play a positive role in society when attention is paid to its broader impacts.
This theme seamlessly connects to two of the strategic pillars of NPM Capital: ‘Everything is Digital’ and ‘Healthy Life and Learning’. Digitalization is rapidly transforming our society and economy and it is of the utmost importance that this development remains accessible and inclusive, enabling everyone to benefit from the opportunities that this technology can offer.
Source: The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), news bulletin 13 February 2025
