Supporting digital inclusion in Aotearoa
Aotearoa has some of the best digital infrastructure in the world thanks to government investment in ultrafast fibre broadband, but what is that worth if we're leaving 1 in 5 New Zealanders behind?
Digital inclusion is essential to social and individual wellbeing, but not everyone in Aotearoa is experiencing it. According to BNZ's 2021 Digital Skills Report, 20% of New Zealanders "lack the digital skills deemed essential for modern life."
Let's look at what digital equity is, why it's important, the harm caused by digital exclusion, and how digital equity can be achieved:
What is digital equity?
There are many initiatives in Aotearoa working on digital inclusion for all. Their definitions boil down to this: digital equity in Aotearoa means everyone having access to digital devices and the internet with the confidence and skills to make the most out of them.
Who is being left out?
This has two answers – there are groups that are historically excluded from digital transformation, which mirrors existing inequalities in our society: low household income, lower levels of education, and disability. And there are groups who continue to be excluded from research and initiatives created to improve digital equity in Aotearoa.
Vulnerable groups across both categories include: Māori and Pasifika peoples, people with disabilities, seniors, migrants, refugees, youth, women and girls, unemployed people, people with low housing stability, people with mental health conditions, offenders and ex-offenders.
How is digital exclusion hurting Aotearoa?
Digital transformation is accelerating and if people are being excluded this divide will also grow rapidly, which the Digital Skills Report warns will create a 2-speed economy "that worsens inequality as the digital transformation progresses."
Research into digital exclusion reveals that people are being left behind or left vulnerable in situations of disruption and transition. These individuals have reported a sense of powerlessness, isolation and limited opportunities.
Examples of exclusion include:
Students without affordable internet unable to complete homework assignments or access remote learning
Job-seekers without internet access or the necessary digital literacy missing job vacancies listed online or requiring online applications
Vulnerable people transitioning from unsafe living arrangements relying on the internet to access support
A lack of knowledge about online safety leaving many New Zealanders vulnerable to scams and bullying
New migrants and refugees starting life in Aotearoa struggling to access training and services in their language
What are the benefits of digital inclusion?
It will improve people's access to education, mental health resources, training portals, social connections, remote working, employment opportunities, and support. And as Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa (DECA) puts it, digital inclusion lets people "participate in our society, democracy and economy."
As well as these urgent goals, a digitally equitable society will make Aotearoa even more adaptable to new technologies and the world's digital transformation. If the 1 in 5 New Zealanders who are unable to make the most of our digital world were fully included, imagine the impact on our country's productivity.
As InternetNZ says, "By enabling an individual to be digitally included, we are enabling the acceleration of digital transformation in a way that can improve everyone’s lives."
Aotearoa's low-carbon future will also benefit from a digitally skilled workforce. We've written about how sustainable IT strategies can reduce your business's environmental impact. Increased cloud adoption means employers are desperate for skilled IT workers, positions that could be filled faster if awareness and training were more accessible.
What's getting in the way of digital equity?
Research shows there are four barriers to digital equity: access, skills, motivation and trust.
Access
People may lack access for many reasons:
Poor or unaffordable internet connection
No fibre in remote communities
Lack of time (for example, solo parents) or energy due to disability
Disabilities that require expensive adaptive technologies
Poorly designed services that are not meeting the access needs of all people
Migrants and refugees with English as a second language will also have difficulties accessing digital services and opportunities that are mostly offered in English.
Skills
Digital skills training is not a big focus for government inclusion initiatives – however, community initiatives are supporting New Zealanders in this area. These programmes are brought together under DECA to increase their impact, create a big picture view and fill gaps in digital inclusion efforts.
Motivation
Motivation to engage in the digital world is not as well researched as other barriers, but a study by Good Things Foundation in the UK revealed 3.88 million people described the internet as 'not for me'. To engage motivation, focus on the benefits of the internet, avoid jargon and relate its value to familiar experiences. For example, borrowing an e-book from a digital library.
Trust
When people are harmed by online experiences it can cause a lack of trust. Even if an individual hasn't been harmed online, when they view the internet as toxic with scams, bullying and other risks, they may opt out. It's important to give all New Zealanders access to training on how to use the internet safely.
How do we create digital equity in Aotearoa?
To build a digitally inclusive Aotearoa it's essential to listen to those who are being excluded. A lot of work is being done by government and community groups to find, measure and co-design with people who are most at risk of digital exclusion.
A report by The Workshop called Out of the Maze: Building Digitally Inclusive Communities offered these solutions: internet training in school, free internet access for people during times of disruption, education for parents and guardians on the value of the internet, and raising awareness of affordable data packages to improve uptake.
The Digital Skills Report recommended businesses offer digital training to their workforce because the whole economy will benefit. They also revealed 3 in 4 New Zealanders were taught digital skills by someone they knew, emphasising the value of 'trusted faces in local places'.
At a government and corporate level, solutions focus mostly on the barrier of access. Initiatives include connecting libraries, marae, social housing and rural communities to the internet. And several large telecoms are collaborating to sponsor free data to use essential services.
In June 2020, the Manaiakalani Education Trust partnered with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and established Kanorau Digital to provide essential digital skills training for Māori and Pasifika peoples. There are also free digital skills programmes offered by Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa.
The Brightly vision is an equitable Aotearoa. We're building a company culture that promotes respect, understanding and knowledge. We're also creating career pathways to build a diverse tech sector in Aotearoa. Find out more about our values at Brightly.