Digital Inclusion: Do we need the word 'digital'? Time to urgently address the issue that's leaving people behind

'Digital' inclusion and exclusion

We hear a lot about 'digital inclusion' and 'digital exclusion' these days. This crucially important challenge in our society is gaining more prominence with our policy makers, business leaders, and the general public - great news! But, increasingly, what we're actually talking about here is less about 'digital' inclusion but just about 'inclusion' in general. The world we navigate every minute of the day in order to just get by, is online. To be 'included' in anything to do with our own lives these days, in order to survive (let alone thrive), we need to have access to a device, an internet connection, and the skills to navigate the digital world.

It's important to acknowledge privilege here. Just given the fact I am writing this, on this platform, and have the opportunity to work in a job I love, as Partnerships Manager at Good Things Foundation, means I have the privilege of being digitally included. Yes, it's a privilege, and one that isn't there for an increasing proportion of our society who find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide.

Good Things Foundation's mission to fix the digital divide - for good, is more crucial now than it's ever been. This issue is everywhere, it's universal, and it's affecting people close to us all, every minute of every day. If you're a business that employs people, or provides services for people (so, if you're a business that exists, full stop) - this matters!

The challenges of being digitally excluded

Here's just a few of the times this week that have shown me the stark challenges of being disconnected, and the harsh reality facing so many:

• Back to school exclusion: My 4-year old started in reception class this week. Everything I needed to know as a parent, to help her settle in, was in my inbox, on the website or 'on the app'. From knowing start and finish times, to buying her water bottle and PE kit, to booking after school clubs, and getting the update messages from school - it's all 'on the app'. Where do you start if you don't have 'the app', or a phone that can download the app, or connectivity, or an understanding of what 'the app' even is? Parents are excluded for not being online, therefore their children are excluded before they even start. Google Classroom for her 'home challenges' is my next task, there's no alternative.
• Energy tariff benefits: This week I got a notification from my energy provider to say that I could prevent the looming rise in energy bills by switching tariffs. The best tariff deals available were 'online only'.
• Oasis ticket frenzy: Dare I mention this one?! People fortunate enough to get tickets to see Oasis in their upcoming reunion tour had to have the skills, access and connectivity to navigate a very complex online ticketing landscape. One-time passcodes, online ballots, hours of queues, bandwidth barriers, being mistaken for bots! Access to music, art and culture now depends heavily on people being online and affordability.
• E-learning assumptions and the unspoken workforce skills gap: I spoke to someone this week who works in Social Value in the construction industry. This sector, like most, is facing the rising challenge of balancing digital transformation and providing equitable systems and processes for their workforce. Their mandatory e-learning and onboarding is now all online. Many of their prospective new starters don't have email addresses, or phones, and laptops of their own. Some can't afford to pay for broadband or mobile data - so where do they even start? It was great to hear that these challenges were being addressed and considered by this employer.

I could go on.... not even considering work, just thinking about this week's life admin ...how I've accessed my own money, booked health appointments, ordered new school shoes, kept in touch with my family abroad... we all know how reliant we are on being connected. It's an essential right, not a 'nice to have'.

There's no inclusion without 'digital' inclusion

Turning to the workplace now - how can we claim to be addressing 'Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging', and hiring senior leaders responsible for 'EDIB' ... if we're not putting the digital divide at the top of our organisational risk registers? How can we be moving services online, offering the best deals online, and providing support for customers 'online only', whilst showcasing a 'commitment to inclusion'? This isn't a challenge solely for your Digital Inclusion Manager to address, this issue is for every department, for every budget, for every colleague, and for every leader that claims to care about inclusion.

What are the solutions?

If you've stuck with me this far, and are thinking 'Ok I get it, what can be done?' - then I'm pleased to say there are some simple solutions to these important challenges.

If you know someone who could benefit from some extra support, check out Good Things Foundation's National Digital Inclusion Network - a UK-wide network of over 5,000 local organisations offering free digital inclusion support.

Want to signpost your colleagues, friends and family to where they might start to learn basic digital skills like using email, online safety, managing money online? Check out Learn My Way - our free learning tool.

Want to embed your organisation's commitment to inclusion? Get involved in Get Online Week: 14 - 20th October 2024.

About Get Online Week

Get Online Week is the UK's biggest digital inclusion campaign. It's been held every year since 2007 and is back for 2024.

In collaboration with our strategic partners, supporters, and the National Digital Inclusion Network, we aim to help tens of thousands of people get online in just one week.

This October is a time when the spotlight will be on those workplaces that are committed to collaboration and joining our mission to fix the digital divide. Your workplace has the opportunity to become a Get Online Week Champion. Check out our Supporter Toolkit and get in touch for a chat about how you can get involved.

This is urgent, and it's an issue for us all that can't be ignored.