{"id":51114,"date":"2024-09-12T00:10:59","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T23:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=51114"},"modified":"2024-11-14T14:10:02","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T14:10:02","slug":"dpa-calls-on-the-uk-government-to-end-digital-poverty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/dpa-calls-on-the-uk-government-to-end-digital-poverty\/51114\/","title":{"rendered":"DPA calls on the UK Government to end digital poverty"},"content":{"rendered":"
This issue, often overlooked, has become increasingly urgent as the world becomes more reliant on digital access for essential services, education, and employment.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, underscored the importance of digital access: “With so much of our lives continuing to revolve around digital, it is imperative that digital access becomes a basic human right.<\/p>\n
“Digital inclusion means access to a suitable digital device such as a laptop, broadband connectivity to get onto the internet and access essential services including online healthcare, and digital skills to be able to use a device and the internet.<\/p>\n
“Many of us take digital for granted, but there are still as many as 19 million people who still go without.”<\/p>\n
Addressing digital poverty is critical for creating a more equitable society. The lack of access to digital resources<\/a> not only limits opportunities for education and employment but also restricts access to essential services such as healthcare and social support.<\/p>\n In today’s world, being digitally excluded is synonymous with being socially and economically marginalised.<\/p>\n Children growing up in digital poverty face significant educational disadvantages. With many schools relying on online learning resources, children without access to technology are left behind, perpetuating cycles of inequality.<\/p>\n Additionally, adults who lack digital skills may find it difficult to secure employment or access vital services, further deepening their socioeconomic struggles.<\/p>\n The DPA says a lack of government action on digital poverty has been a topic of concern. In 2022, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee highlighted the absence of a coherent digital inclusion strategy<\/a>, noting that the last plan was developed in 2014.<\/p>\n The committee was critical of the “distinct lack of leadership” within the government to address the growing digital divide.<\/p>\n Although the government has introduced some initiatives, such as an \u00a3800m fund to improve broadband connectivity in rural areas<\/a>, these measures fall short of addressing the comprehensive needs of those affected by digital poverty.<\/p>\n Anderson added: “The new government has a significant task but a huge opportunity in front of them to bridge the digital divide. A digital inclusion strategy should be a central part of their policy.”<\/p>\nThe need for a national digital inclusion strategy<\/h3>\n
End Digital Poverty Day: A call to action<\/h3>\n