Fracture numérique, fracture sociale : aux frontières de l'intégration et de l'exclusion

The digital gap is a symbolic demarcation of rupture, a line that traces the separation between individuals or social groups who are – or feel they are –integrated into the “information society”, and those who are – or feel – excluded from this society. As with many other boundaries, this particular line is difficult to perceive or even is totally imperceptible in the field. Analysing a journey on the boundary itself, this text concentrates on the logics emerging from the connection between the two spaces, two realities, two points of view. It attempts to understand what those who find themselves on this limit actually live, as do also those who attempt de jump the gap or on the contrary try to avoid their expulsion. The enquiry took place in a professional and continued education context concerned directly with ICT. More largely, the article examines the eventual links between integration into (or exclusion of) the “information society” on the one hand and, on the other, general social integration (or exclusion) of such individuals.