People who face barriers or difficulties when online can experience poorer mental and physical health, miss out on work opportunities and become socially excluded, according to a new report commissioned by Ofcom.
The communications regulator has published the results of research carried out by Blue Marble, responding to estimates that 5% of the UK population have no access to the internet and based on interviews with 70 people who face different forms of digital disadvantage.
Titled Exploring Digital Disadvantage, its findings include that for some disabled people, going online can have a negative impact on their health, through factors such as fatigue from completing tasks, discomfort from using unsuitable devices, or anxiety when online.
There are also barriers to using the internet when living in insecure housing, as people feel they cannot commit to broadband contracts when they may need to move home soon. Some people are also hindered by unreliable connectivity and problems in using better devices in some housing.
Other barriers face people with low skills in reading and writing English, and some from ethnic minorities are deterred by racism on social media.
Exclusion issues
The report also highlights familiar issues in digital exclusion, including the affordability of devices and broadband connections, having to share devices and the poor quality of connectivity. In addition, some people are reluctant to use the internet and may have sufficient help to get around any difficulties this causes.
In its response to the findings, Ofcom says the research will inform its understanding of the digital divide and its work on media literacy, supporting digital transitions from legacy technology, the future of TV distribution and its research programme.
It adds that it is overhauling its mobile coverage web checker that helps consumers understand what mobile coverage is like in their area. It says this will improve accuracy and transparency and should drive stronger incentives amongst mobile providers to deliver better connectivity, which would in turn improve outcomes for individuals and households who rely on data for connectivity and/or are smartphone-only users.
“We are conscious of the fact that millions of people, including those in more vulnerable circumstances, have recently gone online for the first time in the last five years,” it says.
“In light of this research, we recognise the importance of continuing to monitor and track the experiences of this newly online cohort, to ensure that they feel communications are working for them.”
