{"id":35343,"date":"2024-06-06T12:23:58","date_gmt":"2024-06-06T11:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digileaders.com\/?p=35343"},"modified":"2024-06-06T12:23:58","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T11:23:58","slug":"digital-is-key-to-election-so-must-be-digital-poverty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digileaders.com\/digital-is-key-to-election-so-must-be-digital-poverty\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital is key to election, so must be digital poverty"},"content":{"rendered":"

After months, if not longer, of speculation, we now know \u2013 the General Election will be on 4th July.<\/p>\n

Arguably, more than ever before, digital will be more important than ever as we await the result. Why? Social media, of course \u2013 with diverse views, but generally an echo chamber effect. Targeted messaging and advertising through different platforms. The role of data in gaining support. The spreading of news \u2013 and potentially fake news \u2013 online. In 2024, what\u2019s an election without the debate and discussion that happens across digital platforms \u2013 whether that\u2019s sharing your opinion on Facebook, following political commentary, or analysing data.<\/p>\n

Unless you aren\u2019t online.<\/p>\n

If you aren\u2019t online at all, you won\u2019t be hit by the swirling news. In fact, you probably didn\u2019t spend this afternoon receiving news alerts or debating with your team what the date would be, and arguably, you might not even know the election has been announced. Similarly, if you\u2019ve run out of data or had to switch off your broadband due to rising costs.<\/p>\n

And not only will you not know, but you won\u2019t be sharing your views. With so many campaigns kicking off online these days, if you are digitally excluded, ironically, you\u2019re not going to be able to spread the word about the need to tackle digital poverty. If you are one of the 11 million people who lack essential, basic digital skills, you may also be at greater risk of falling foul of related scams, of fake news \u2013 or purely struggling to register for new voter ID.<\/p>\n

So, having established that digital plays a massive part in democracy these days, and given we already know that up to 19 million adults are in digital poverty, perhaps this tells us that tackling this exclusion \u2013 whether it\u2019s through affordability, skills, or lack of trust or support \u2013 must be critical in the next governmental term, which will see us through all the way to 2029. So much has changed in the last five years, who can tell where we will be in the last year of the decade<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This is why we have a simple manifesto call to all campaigning parties:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n
      \n
    1. Commit to creating a cross-departmental digital inclusion task force \u2013 across every department \u2013 with transparent accountability for real change and a joined-up focus.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    2. Take immediate action now, with meaningful communication campaigns that signpost support.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Why every department? Because digital touches every area of life. Education, health, welfare, jobs, rural services, housing \u2013 the list doesn\u2019t end.<\/p>\n

      And why communications? Around two-thirds of people would improve their digital skills if there was free support. There is free support \u2013 but people can\u2019t find it. Perhaps because they aren\u2019t online, or perhaps because we want them to look in the places that society feels would be convenient, rather than taking the message to people.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      How can I get involved?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Are you a candidate? Tell us if you support us. You can email me directly at\u00a0elizabeth@digitalpovertyalliance.org<\/a>. Tell your party you support action on digital poverty and want to see this included in campaign literature. If you need information about your constituency, we can share that information with you. Want to know more about how to support?<\/p>\n

      As well as the asks above, we are seeking greater awareness, support for affordability, increased accessibility of services, a dedicated skills programme and device access in schools, and greater support for local authorities to tackle digital inclusion. If you want to know more, drop me an email.<\/p>\n

      Are you working with a candidate? Tell them what you\u2019ve just read. Ask them to get involved.<\/p>\n

      Are you a member of the public? Canvassing season is just beginning. Ask something different on the doorstep \u2013 ask about digital poverty. Ask both what the party is doing, but also what the local candidate is doing \u2013 whether that\u2019s for the one in five children nationally in digital poverty, or the one in two families on low incomes who are digitally excluded.<\/p>\n

      Are you a business, perhaps with public affairs goals that align? Join our Industry Forum and be part of the industry response to helping millions of people access the online world \u2013 and your services \u2013 conveniently, safely, and effectively.<\/p>\n

      We sometimes hear digital considered a luxury, that it comes after other forms of poverty. A keyboarded device (laptop or tablet) with a stable internet connection isn\u2019t a luxury. Without it, children can\u2019t complete homework. Parents can\u2019t access job opportunities (90% of which are only advertised online, and need a digital application). People can\u2019t apply for benefits, healthcare, or other support. There\u2019s a poverty premium \u2013 from insurance to driving licences, you pay more if you\u2019re offline or struggle with accessing online services.<\/p>\n

      So, if someone tells you a phone is enough, ask them \u2013 could they do GCSE coursework on a phone with a cracked screen? And if they say no, ask them what they are doing to help.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Read More Digital Inclusion <\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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