Futuríveis
segunda-feira, junho 20, 2005
Digital refuseniks
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Net access has become so talked about and embedded in society that it is easy to forget that half of the UK population remain digital refuseniks.
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While mobile phones and, increasingly, digital TV become ubiquitous, half of UK homes do not have a PC and a third of adults have no access to the internet at home or work.
For William Dutton, director of the Oxford Internet Institute, choosing not to go online is very different to deciding what TV programme to watch.
"The net has the power to be transformative both in terms of enhancing and expanding social relationships and in providing information that you won't see elsewhere," he said.
The belief that the digital divide will somehow automatically heal itself as technology becomes more prevalent and access cheaper and more widely available is a dangerous one, he thinks.
Several surveys suggest that cost is less of a barrier than it used to be and, as early adopters take advantage of wi-fi and broadband, the divide is actually getting wider.
Mr Dutton also sees new divides appearing among those who are regular net users, between those who are merely passive consumers of the technology and those who use it to create their own content, such as blogs and podcasts.
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John Fisher heads up Citizens Online, a charity which exists solely to address the issue of digital inclusion. For him, it is all about making sure people are aware of the options.
"I don't see it as a matter of choice, of people opting out. Yes, there will always be a rump of Luddites but for the vast majority they just haven't been given the choice," he said.
That choice comes down to barriers such as an innate fear of technology, horror stories in the media about viruses and online fraud, lack of confidence and skill and perhaps, most importantly, not seeing the relevance of the internet to everyday life, said Mr Fisher.
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Of all the sections of society that have been singled out as being on the wrong side of the digital divide, older people are perhaps set to gain the most.
The net can keep their often dwindling social networks alive, re-ignite interest in old hobbies and, perhaps most importantly, help them to maintain a place in a society which increasingly marginalises those who do not have youth on their side.
When they do get online, older people tend to be huge net enthusiasts. It is a challenge for net providers to recognise this and readjust their youth and family-orientated marketing at this new market, said Emma Aldridge of charity Age Concern.
There is some evidence manufacturers are beginning to look to this untapped market with products such as Vodafone's recently released back-to-basics handset.
In a challenge to industry, Mr Fisher of Citizens Online called for a similarly pared down computer, with basic functionality.
"It would provide an excellent first step," he said.
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BBC NEWS | Technology | Reaching out to digital refuseniks
Net access has become so talked about and embedded in society that it is easy to forget that half of the UK population remain digital refuseniks.
...
While mobile phones and, increasingly, digital TV become ubiquitous, half of UK homes do not have a PC and a third of adults have no access to the internet at home or work.
For William Dutton, director of the Oxford Internet Institute, choosing not to go online is very different to deciding what TV programme to watch.
"The net has the power to be transformative both in terms of enhancing and expanding social relationships and in providing information that you won't see elsewhere," he said.
The belief that the digital divide will somehow automatically heal itself as technology becomes more prevalent and access cheaper and more widely available is a dangerous one, he thinks.
Several surveys suggest that cost is less of a barrier than it used to be and, as early adopters take advantage of wi-fi and broadband, the divide is actually getting wider.
Mr Dutton also sees new divides appearing among those who are regular net users, between those who are merely passive consumers of the technology and those who use it to create their own content, such as blogs and podcasts.
...
John Fisher heads up Citizens Online, a charity which exists solely to address the issue of digital inclusion. For him, it is all about making sure people are aware of the options.
"I don't see it as a matter of choice, of people opting out. Yes, there will always be a rump of Luddites but for the vast majority they just haven't been given the choice," he said.
That choice comes down to barriers such as an innate fear of technology, horror stories in the media about viruses and online fraud, lack of confidence and skill and perhaps, most importantly, not seeing the relevance of the internet to everyday life, said Mr Fisher.
...
Of all the sections of society that have been singled out as being on the wrong side of the digital divide, older people are perhaps set to gain the most.
The net can keep their often dwindling social networks alive, re-ignite interest in old hobbies and, perhaps most importantly, help them to maintain a place in a society which increasingly marginalises those who do not have youth on their side.
When they do get online, older people tend to be huge net enthusiasts. It is a challenge for net providers to recognise this and readjust their youth and family-orientated marketing at this new market, said Emma Aldridge of charity Age Concern.
There is some evidence manufacturers are beginning to look to this untapped market with products such as Vodafone's recently released back-to-basics handset.
In a challenge to industry, Mr Fisher of Citizens Online called for a similarly pared down computer, with basic functionality.
"It would provide an excellent first step," he said.
...
BBC NEWS | Technology | Reaching out to digital refuseniks
posted by CMT, 9:33 da manhã
