Digital divide
From Wiki for Sustainable IT
Digital divide refers to inequality in access to and use of digital technology.
Three levels
- Access
- availability of equipment and connectivity, which remains unequal by geography and income
- Skills
- the ability to use digital tools, independent of access
- Usage
- the ability to derive real benefit, which depends on the design of services themselves
The third level is the one organisations control. A service can be technically accessible and remain unusable for people it was meant to serve.
The digitisation trap
Moving a public service online improves access for the majority and removes it for a minority, frequently the most vulnerable. Where no alternative channel remains, digitisation produces exclusion while appearing to improve service.
