DIGITAL INCLUSION

The digital divide separates people who have access to the internet from those who do not. In the year 2000, 413 million people had internet access in the world. This number increased to 3.4 billion in 2016 and by the end of 2020 it was 4.66 billion. The evolution is palpable. However, 40 % of humanity still does not have access to the digital world.

This is where the concept of digital inclusion comes in; that is, efforts to enable more and more people on the other side of the divide to access the opportunities that the internet provides. For example online education and remote working, among others, which have become fundamental in guaranteeing health at a critical time such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHAT IS DIGITAL INCLUSION AND WHAT ARE THE MAIN DIGITAL BARRIERS

According to the European Commission, digital inclusion is about enabling all people to contribute to and benefit from the digital economy and society. This means working on different aspects:

• Access to ICT, ensuring infrastructure, affordable prices and also ease of use.
• Assistive technologies which facilitate access for people with disabilities who would not otherwise be able to use them.
• Digital literacy, including ICT training in basic education and lifelong learning for individuals.
• Social inclusion, focusing on the most disadvantaged sectors of society with specific programmes that help them to enter the digital world.

The digital divide does more than divide people who have access to the internet from those who do not. There are other obstacles that prevent sections of the population from becoming digital citizens:

• Lack of skills in not having the training required to use the internet and online services.
• Lack of confidence, partly due to lack of skills, makes some people afraid to go on the internet.
• Lack of motivation, as many people do not access the internet because they are unaware of the opportunities it offers.
• Poor design, because not all digital services and products are accessible and easy to use.

The most vulnerable sectors of society are those that suffer most from the digital divide. Although there are variations between countries, women, the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities rural populations and those of low socio-economic status tend to be most affected.

DIGITAL INCLUSION OBJECTIVES

Tim Berners-Lee, known as the father of the World Wide Web, said that it was created for "everyone". Certain challenges must be overcome in order to make this digital inclusion a reality:

  Accessibility

One of the barriers to inclusion is access for people with disabilities, for example, visual or hearing disabilities. Accessibility is about adapting devices and content to remove these barriers.

  Affordability

The cost of internet access is too high for many people on low incomes. In the European Union (EU), for example, there is the provision of universal access, which ensures that at least one provider in each country provides service at an affordable price.

  Digital skills

Ensuring access to the internet is important, but if people do not have the right training and digital skills to take advantage of it, the gap remains. This is particularly important for older people.

  Relevant content and services

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) considers that relevant local content in certain minority languages and services useful to citizens are an essential part of digital inclusion.

  SEE INFOGRAPHIC: The UN roadmap for digital cooperation [PDF]

BENEFITS OF DIGITAL INCLUSION

Access to the Internet and its associated services has a positive influence on the development of societies, from economic growth to empowering disadvantaged individuals and communities. Being a digital citizen in today's world has many advantages:

  More job opportunities

In a connected world, digital profiles such as programmers and data analysts are in high demand. Access to networking platforms also makes it easier to get a job or fund a project.

  More educational opportunities

Internet access opens up a universe of possibilities for training, from nanogrades, mostly online courses focused on digital skills, to mobile learning, which enables people to learn from a smartphone, or access to educational video games, among others.

  More leisure alternatives

Cinema, series, music and other cultural and entertainment events are much more accessible thanks to the internet, something that has a positive influence from a social and educational point of view.

  Better use of time

The use of digital services allows for better time management, resulting in increased productivity as many tasks can be performed remotely and with greater speed.

  Greater access to information

Access to digital media and shared content repositories, such as Wikipedia, contributes to better citizen education and enriches a country's social and political life.

  Increased protection against digital crime

Digital literacy provides greater knowledge of the internet environment and makes people less likely to fall victim to internet scams such as phishing.

INITIATIVES AND SOLUTIONS FOR DIGITAL INCLUSION

Several international organisations are working to reduce the digital divide and promote inclusion:

• UNESCO has initiatives all over the world to improve participation in the digital society, especially in services such as health or environmental conservation. It also organises Mobile Learning Week to explore the possibilities of digital education.
• The European Commission, within the Horizon 2020 programme, funds a multitude of digital inclusion projects, especially in the field of accessibility, aimed at people with different types of disability.
• Digital leisure, including audio-visual content and video games, is a valuable tool for promoting access to the digital world, to the extent that the Creative Europe programme promotes the development of this type of content in EU countries.