New Information and Communication Technologies as the Factor of Social Inclusion

The paper presents the opportunities and limitations in using new information and communication technologies as a factor of social inclusion. It consists of three basic parts. The first part presents the actions for development and use of new technologies as factors of economic growth and employment increase undertaken within the frameworks of programs of the European Union and its Member States during the recent years. Use of new information and communication technologies has an increasing role as a factor of economic growth, social development and social inclusion. The second part of the paper deals with the access to and use of the information and communication technologies in Poland and comparison of the situation in Poland and in other Member States. Here the paper indicates the existing disproportions and threats for the information society. Part three criticises the technological determinism putting excess stress on technological aspects while underestimating the social aspects. The examples of good practices from a few selected EU Member States where the use of new information and communication technologies was combined effectively with the measures for social inclusion also support the social approach to the introduction and use of modern information and communication technologies.