Introduction: Technological Competence and Social Change in a Spatial Perspective.- Stratification, Socialisation and Space.- Digital and Digitized Space as an Opportunity for Advancement.- Data-Based Utilisation Contexts.- Decontextualized data and socio-spatial differences.- Recursive Spaces.- Conclusion and Outlook.

This open access book critically examines discussions on digitalisation and individual opportunities for socio-economic advancement. Contrary to the prevailing narratives of “digital empowerment” and opportunities for every individual, this book argues that digitalisation massively curtails social advancement opportunities, consolidating existing social relations. From a spatial perspective, Scheffer demonstrates how socially disadvantaged groups are faced with reproducing mechanisms as part of a new data economy. Surprisingly, the more intensively digital services are used, the more this happens.

Building on Löw´s sociology of space and Bourdieu´s concept of habitus, this book shows how practices of social exclusion are transferred to the digital present in an innovative way. The image of “mirrored” spaces describes a new mechanism that explains social exclusion in the age of digitalization. This book is an essential resource for researchers and students interested in socio-economic inequalities, processes of digitalisation, and digital geographies.

Sheds new light on social reproduction in the digital age Brings a novel analysis of socio-economic inequality, introducing the metaphor of 'mirrored spaces' Draws on Martina Löw's spatial theory and the works of Pierre Bourdieu This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access

Open Access This book is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this book are included in the book's Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the book's Creative Commons license and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder.