Did you know that as many as half of the UK population do not have net access? Known as digital refuseniks, those that do not have access are seen by charities, industry and the government to be at a disadvantage from their more web-aware counterparts. Is this actually the case and will our society be divided on the basis of the haves and have nots?
Some argue that whilst mobile phones and digital TV are to be found in most homes, as many as half of those homes are without Internet access via a PC; and a third of adults have no access to the Internet at home or at work.
William Dutton, director of the Oxford Internet Institute believes that those people who think that the divide will lessen as technology becomes more widespread and the cost of access cheaper, should think again. Several surveys suggest that cost is not the issue it once was and as early adopters capitalise on wi-fi and broadband, the gap is getting increasingly wider.
He foresees new divides amongst those who are regular net users (passive consumers of the technology) and users creating their own content i.e. blogs and podcasts.
So why are people avoiding the net? The survey below conducted by Citizens Online - a charity which has been set up to tackle digital inclusion - gives an insight into the thoughts of refuseniks:
John Fisher, who runs the charity believes that most people simply haven't been given the choice. He is convinced that there are several barriers which are preventing people from accessing the Internet:
- Fear of technology
- Viruses and the media's reporting of them
- Online fraud
- Lack of confidence
- Irrelevance to everyday life
Citizens Online has been successful at encouraging people to use the Internet by using community workers such as health workers to promote the benefits of Internet access. Results in some areas have reported an increase in general net usage and home access as much as 25%.
John Fisher says there is evidence that those that are disadvantaged i.e. from deprived areas, the elderly and the disabled will find that by becoming Internet users their lives will enriched. He cites examples such as finding schools in a particular area, researching job opportunities and becoming more aware of local and government services. For the homeless, using the Internet could help them resume contact with family members.
The RNIB (Royal National Institute of the Blind) has collaborated closely with Tesco to improve the accessibility of the retailer's website. Tesco has seen the benefits and has reported an increase in its revenue of £30m
A program called Workability has been organised by the disability charity Leonard Cheshire which provides users with a PC and an online course. Half of its subscribers have found full or part-time employment as a result with 15% choosing to pursue voluntary work.
An untapped market is the older generation. According to Emma Aldridge of Age Concern, once older people access the Internet, their enthusiasm gains momentum; it enables them to feel part of an evolving technology. Citizens Online has called for a pared down computer, similar to Vodafone's back-to basics handset with basic functionality, “it would provide an excellent first step," Mr. Fisher has been quoted as saying.
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