BT highlights the digital divide

By Alun Williams

Posted on 7 Dec 2004 at 17:46

The point was also made that the problem will not solve itself. To put it brutally, when the older generation dies out in 20 years time the problem of exclusion will not die with them. The study identified that, in 2025, 10.6 million adults aged between 30 and 60 will be classed as digitally excluded. In other words, an ongoing problem will continue to manifest itself.

Staying isolated from technological progress is not a feasible option, either. 'People should remember that "offline" services will increasingly deteriorate - for example banking services - as more and more people carry out transactions online,' pointed out Paul Flatters, the MD of Future Foundation.

What needs to be done? There are six main conclusions of the report.

First, making a greater effort to 'market' the Internet itself. As no one body owns it, no one is carrying the fight on its behalf: 'There's a big selling job still to be done,' said Flatters.

Second, new technology needs to be explicitly designed to cater for the currently disenfranchised: they have no motivation to meet gadget makers half-way in terms of usability and relevance. Similarly, increasing convergence of technologies should bring simplicity not greater complexity if the problem is not to be exacerbated. In a similar vein, users shouldn't need special skills to engage with technology.

The fifth point is that technology must become more affordable, to avoid marginalising people on the grounds of cost alone. And, finally, where access issues remain then special programmes and social policies will need to address the issues.