Earlier this week e-envoy Andrew Pinder launched the
latest stage of the 'EverybodyOnline' strategy at West Walker
primary school in Newcastle-upon-Tyne to encourage more people in
disadvantaged areas to use the internet
Visiting the school as part of an official visit to the
north-east on Wednesday, Pinder described the importance of the
campaign as the government attempts to bridge the UK's digital
divide.
He said, "This is a tremendous national campaign - getting
online is for everyone and we want everyone to share in that
experience.
"In order to exist in the working environment you have to know
about computers and getting online."
EverybodyOnline, a joint initiative between BT and the Citizens
Online charity, has appointed a project officer to make local
residents aware of opportunities to use the internet and IT. The
Walker area was chosen following research which revealed that its
internet adoption rates are below the UK average.
The strategy encompasses a number of areas across the country,
including Cornwall, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Croydon.
Former England footballer Peter Beardsley put his weight behind
the campaign in Walker. Now the coach of Newcastle United's
under-19 academy team, Beardsley spent much of his childhood in the
local area.
"It's great that Walker is part of this national initiative," he
said.
But the former Everton and Newcastle United star admitted that
he has to rely on his two children to help him surf the net.
The government has also attempted to bridge the digital divide
in Newcastle by offering free internet introductory sessions at UK
Online centres until 31 March.
Internet take-up in the north-east as a whole is relatively low
compared with other parts of the UK. Figures from the Office for
National Statistics show that from October 2001 to September 2002,
36% of households in the north-east had internet access compared
with 41% in the north-west and 50% in the south-east.