Responsible Digital: Co-Creating Safe, Wise and Secure Digital Interventions with Vulnerable Groups

Abstract The notion of “Responsible Digital” emphasises the ethical and responsible design and use of digital technologies. Having the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely, wisely and securely becomes critical when digital literacy and access to technologies are limited and livelihood possibilities are precarious such as in the context of vulnerable migrants. We use the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) framework in its operationalised version called AREA Plus as a lens to reflect on our research-practice in relation to two projects in sensitive contexts that were designed with vulnerable groups to co-create digital interventions aimed at improving their lives. In so doing, we introduce a new ‘sustainability’ dimension to AREA Plus to develop what we term the AREAS framework. We contribute to knowledge by using the AREA Plus framework in the context of Africa, South East Asia and South America migration and by further enhancing it; to methodology by highlighting the procedures followed when working with vulnerable groups; and to practice through the promotion of responsible digital practices.