We know, waiting is the worst. Hang in there!
We know, waiting is the worst. Hang in there!
Defined by The Digital Poverty Alliance as “The inability to interact with the online world fully, when, where, and how an individual needs to,” digital poverty affects millions of people across the UK, leading to broader social and economic inequalities.
Digital poverty is a multifaceted problem rooted in insufficient access to digital technologies, poor digital literacy, and a lack of resources to leverage digital tools effectively. According to recent data from The Digital Poverty Alliance, 26% of young people in the UK do not have access to a laptop or similar device, and 53% of people offline cite the un-affordability of broadband as a major barrier. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these issues, as many children could not participate in homeschooling due to the lack of appropriate devices.
Digital poverty is caused by a combination of factors -
Economic inequality- lower-income households often can’t afford the high costs of digital devices and broadband services. The cost-of-living crisis that has taken hold over the last couple of years has exacerbated this, with rising prices outpacing wages and welfare benefits
Lack of digital skills- even when devices are available, many individuals lack the skills to use them effectively. This can be due to insufficient training or a lack of educational resources
Geographical disparities- rural and remote areas often suffer from poor digital infrastructure, limiting access to high-speed internet
Systemic inequality- social inequalities related to race, gender, age, and ability can compound the effects of digital poverty, making it harder for marginalised groups to gain digital access
Digital poverty has far-reaching consequences, perpetuating a cycle of ‘complete poverty’ by restricting access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and job opportunities. The digitisation of services and culture at large assumes that people are able to freely access the Internet, and few concessions are made around how to use many necessary things without it. This ‘lock out’ not only affects the immediate well-being of those impacted but also their long-term socio-economic prospects.
Additionally, digital poverty can further emphasise existing social inequalities, with the lack of digital access deepening divides related to income, education, and social status. For example, during the pandemic, those without digital access were disproportionately affected, missing out on online education, remote work opportunities, and telehealth services.
Addressing digital poverty requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond providing devices. Some key strategies that Community TechAid are driving include -
Carnival Internet, in partnership with Community TechAid, is dedicated to reducing digital poverty in the UK. For every customer, Carnival Internet contributes 1% of customer bills monthly towards initiatives that provide devices and connectivity to underserved communities.
This collaboration aims to create lasting change by ensuring that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, has the digital access they need.
The fight against digital poverty requires collective action. By choosing Carnival Internet, customers are not only receiving reliable, cutting-edge full fibre broadband services, but also are supporting a crucial cause.
Together, we can bridge the digital divide, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the current digital age. Every contribution counts, and with your connection request to Carnival Internet, you are helping connect others as well as yourself.