Information Systems researchers have long been aware of the risks posed by the ever wider adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs). However most recognition of problems has largely been confined to disruption in the workplace and the risk to organisational effectiveness posed by poorly designed or implemented systems. There has been a gradual increase in awareness of the wider societal risks in areas such as surveillance, privacy and cyber-crime but it is only in the past few years that the threat posed by technology adoption to social inclusivity has been addressed. Until computer use, and even more so internet use, became majority activities in more economically developed countries, non-use did not exclude people from mainstream economic and cultural activities. Before that point any study would have been of privilege gained by the already privileged. However there has also been an increase in the awareness of the societal aspects of computer use. The pioneering studies of aspects of digital inequality engendered a slow evolution in information systems as a field.

Recently the pace has quickened; a number of conferences and conference tracks have explored ICTs and social inclusion and exclusion.