Capital Gains in a Digital Society: exploring how familial habitus shape digital dispositions and outcomes in three families from Aotearoa, New Zealand

Persistent concerns about the digital divide are typically framed as a deficit of internet access (first level divide), or skills and usage gaps (second level divide). However, despite significant advances in access and skill across populations in Western nations, not all benefit equally from internet use, leading scholars to theorise a third level digital divide which explores the social determinants critical to capitalizing on and benefiting from internet use. Presenting analysis for three families, this work highlights the importance the family in shaping children’s digital disposition and outcomes. Applying Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice concepts, we illustrate how parental habitus and capital inform children’s responses to the digital world, shaping diverse forms of ‘digital capital’ which may result in ‘capital gains’ for some, and less capital benefits for others. Findings suggest that the forms of digital capital that are valued by families are closely tied to class positioning and cultural background.