During the launch of UK Evidence Review 2022 - Inclusion to Equality, the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) pointed out the depth of digital poverty and its correlation to social inequalities and access to education. Different areas around the world have varied experiences with digital poverty, and it significantly impacts the overall improvement of lives and communities.
According to DPA, “digital poverty is the inability to fully interact with the online world.” More often than not, people in developing nations are highly likely to experience digital poverty as well. The primary reason is financial incapacity and that owning a device and getting data is not cheap. Subsequently, digital exclusion is also caused by a lack of access to education and knowledge on the benefits of using technology and the internet.
Shreds of evidence of digital poverty are seen during the pandemic, especially in the academe. In December 2020, UNICEF released a report saying that more than 60% of school-aged children do not have access to the internet or an internet-ready device. Moreover, due to school closures because of COVID-19, the educational gap widened, and children in poor living conditions were set further behind.
Apart from people in poor communities, digital exclusion is also experienced by people of color and disability. As innovations continue to advance, people worldwide continue to be excluded from maximizing technology because it is not designed to be inclusive. For example, people with visual and auditory impairments continue to struggle using their phones. Artificial Intelligence also has a racial and gender bias.
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