The digital age has brought with it many benefits, but it has also created new forms of inequality. One such inequality is digital poverty, which refers to the lack of access to digital technologies and the skills to use them.
In the UK, digital poverty is a growing problem. According to a recent study by ScienceDirect, 15 million people in the UK have very low engagement with the internet, and 10 million lack the most basic skills in using a computer or the internet.
Digital poverty can have a significant impact on people’s lives. It can make it difficult to access essential services, such as healthcare, education, and employment. It can also lead to social isolation and exclusion.
There are a number of factors that contribute to digital poverty. These include low income, lack of skills, and poor physical infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated the problem, as many essential services have moved online.
However, digital poverty is not just about having access to a computer or the internet. It is also about having the skills to use these technologies effectively. People who are digitally poor are more likely to be unemployed, to live in poverty, and to have poor health.
The study by ScienceDirect found that structural inequality plays a significant role in shaping experiences of digital exclusion. The study found that people who are already disadvantaged in other ways, such as those who live in poor-quality housing, are more likely to be digitally excluded.
The study also found that the digital divide is not just about access to technology. It is also about the skills and knowledge needed to use technology effectively. People who are digitally excluded are less likely to have the skills and knowledge they need to use technology to access essential services, to find employment, or to participate in civic life.
The study’s findings highlight the importance of addressing structural inequality in order to reduce digital poverty. This means investing in physical infrastructure, providing digital skills training, and addressing the root causes of poverty.
Addressing digital poverty is essential to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in the digital age. It is also essential to reducing inequality and building a more inclusive society.
Here are some additional thoughts on the issue of digital poverty and structural inequality:
- Digital poverty is not just a problem for individuals. It is also a problem for society as a whole.
- Digital poverty can lead to social isolation and exclusion, which can have a negative impact on mental and physical health.
- Digital poverty can also make it difficult to access essential services, such as healthcare, education, and employment.
- Addressing digital poverty is essential to reducing inequality and building a more inclusive society.
There are a number of things that can be done to address digital poverty and structural inequality. These include:
- Investing in physical infrastructure, such as broadband internet access.
- Providing digital skills training.
- Addressing the root causes of poverty, such as low wages and lack of affordable housing.
- Raising awareness of the issue of digital poverty.
- challenging the stigma that often surrounds digital poverty.
Addressing digital poverty and structural inequality is a complex challenge, but it is one that we must address if we want to build a more inclusive society.