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IB Digital Society: Concepts Change, expression, identity, power, space, systems, values and ethics. 2 subtopics, 12 key terms, full free lesson below.
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1.1 The seven conceptsKey terms Change How digital systems transform behaviour, institutions and societies, and at what speed. Expression How people communicate, create and present themselves digitally. Identity How digital systems shape who we are and how others see us. Power Who controls digital systems, data and decisions, and who is affected. Space How digital systems reshape physical, virtual and social spaces. Systems Interacting parts with inputs, processes, outputs and feedback. Values and ethics What is right, fair and responsible in the design and use of technology. Every Digital Society answer links concepts (lenses), content (the technology) and contexts (areas of life). Concepts are tools for analysis: “This is an issue of power because a few platforms control…”. Strong responses use more than one concept and show tensions between them (e.g. expression vs values and ethics in content moderation). Use real examples : named systems, companies, laws, places and dates. Worked example Apply two concepts to TikTok's recommendation algorithm.
Power: ByteDance controls what billions see; governments debate bans and data access (e.g. US legislation in 2024). Identity: users' feeds shape how young people see themselves and trends. Link: power over the algorithm shapes identity at scale. Exam tip: Name the concept explicitly in each paragraph: examiners look for conceptual understanding.
1.2 The inquiry framework: concept, content, contextKey terms Content The technologies studied: data, algorithms, computing, media, networks and the internet, AI, robots and autonomous technologies. Context The setting where impacts happen: cultural, economic, environmental, health, human knowledge, political, social. Stakeholder Anyone affected by or influencing a digital system. Impact A significant effect (positive or negative) on people and communities. Implication A likely future consequence. Inquiry process : explore (ask questions, find sources) → investigate (analyse claims and perspectives) → reflect (evaluate, consider future developments).For any example ask: what is the system, who are the stakeholders, what are the impacts and implications, and which values are in tension? Assessment : Paper 1 (SL 40 %, HL 35 %), Paper 2 (SL 30 %, HL 20 %), HL Paper 3 (25 %), inquiry project (SL 30 %, HL 20 %).Worked example Frame an inquiry into smart meters.
Content: networks and data. Context: environmental and economic. Concepts: systems (energy grid feedback), power (energy companies' data), values (privacy). Question: “To what extent do smart meters help households cut energy use without compromising privacy?” Exam tip: Write the 3 Cs at the top of every exam answer plan.
Content: Data →
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