Democracy, the role of government and the development of the digital citizen

Sue McKerracher, CEO, ALIA12 November 2015

Democracy = social equity= the absence of systemic disparities

Digital access in Australia is far from equitable

One in five Australians is not online

Four in 10 of the lowest income households in Australia are not connected to the internetOf people aged 65 or more, only 46% are internet users and 75% feel confused about using technology

The digital divide

With no internet at home, kids need to go somewhere else to do their homework

1.6 million seniors are unable to benefit from online banking, grocery orders, bill payments, ebooks, email, skype

Jobseekers can’t find and apply for jobs online

The digital divide

People with a profound or severe disability requiring assistance with core activities have significantly lower access to the internet and broadband than other Australians.

The digital divide

“Remote Indigenous communities can potentially gain some of the greatest benefits from the internet. They are however also the most poorly served across a range of facets: lack of network access and poor connection speeds; expensive internet plans and the relative paucity of free community internet opportunities; language barriers in accessing complex government websites; reduced access to opportunities for digital literacy and digital skills development.”

Northern Territory Library response to current Telstra digital inclusion conversation

Digital inclusion in the library contextSupport for cybersafe online experiences

High speed broadband internet connection in a safe, friendly community space

PC terminals, tablets , ereaders wifi

Spaces for exploring innovative digital technologies

Training and informal help for people to develop digital literacy skills

Necessary and engaging content

What is going well

eSmart program has 40% coverage of public libraries; Children’s eSafety Commissioner

National Broadband Network will connect 9.5 million premises in 2018

Free wifi in 70% of public libraries;97% of libraries have internet terminals

27 of the 30 first-round Digital Hubs were sited in public libraries

Tech Savvy Seniors, Everyone Connected; 66% of libraries offer formal internet training sessions

456.5 million items on Trove

Opportunities for improvement

Joined up approach to cybersafety from federal government

Focus on internet speeds outside metro areas and funding of last mile connection

Further government investment in libraries as community technology centres

National policy framework for digital access to cultural collections

Recognition of cost-shifting from federal/state to local government

2015/16 – a big year for digital citizenshipFederal government

Digital Transformation Office

Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner

NBN roll out

Enterprise

Telstra Digital Inclusion Index

National Year of Digital Inclusion

Libraries

eSmart Libraries

GLAM peak bodies digital access to cultural collections conversation