On inclusion

The internet reflects the cultures, prejudices, agendas and hopes of all those who currently use it.

But for participation to be meaningful, it requires that the internet, and crucially a knowledge of its mechanisms and tools, is near universal.

That would imply seeing the provision of internet facilities as a core role of the state, with all citizens guaranteed access to the tools and services which allow them to understand and make their choices.

For some groups, such as the elderly, it is possible to see this being a particular problem. But the solution could come in the form of a reasonable set of default choices which can be provided by the state. It is also possible to see trusted charities and voluntary organizations providing their own frameworks tailored to the needs of older citizens, or approving those created by others.

But the important point is that the difficulties of delivering equality of access can be overcome. The outreach activities by the city of Belo Horizonte during its e-participatory budgeting scheme show how innovation can play an important role in tackling exclusion.

And in the UK one outreach programme helped 12,234 people at a cost of £163 per person, after which some 60 per cent of participants said they were now happy using computers and the internet. Along the way, there were also other paybacks in terms of self-confidence, family contacts helping other members of the community.

"New technologies like social networking and digital media helped hard to reach or isolated groups express themselves in new ways, and engage in online or off-line communities."[i]

So investment in a programme to tackle 'digital exclusion' can be used to provide wider social benefits than just access to government services. The advantages would seem to make it a good investment on its own terms, regardless of how it fits into any wider reforms.

Footnotes:

[i]Ipsos MORI and UK Online Centres (2008), 'Digital inclusion, social impact: a research study', p. 64. Available at http://www.ipsos-mori.com/DownloadPublication/1249_sri_esociety_digital_inclusion_report_for_uk_online_centres_092008.pdf [January 20, 2010]