Millions of people will miss out on the benefits of
digital information and communication because they cannot use the
systems and services on offer.
The people that could benefit the most from online government
services could miss out unless the government addresses issues that
impact digital inclusion.
According to the research from the
Inclusive Digital Economy Network (IDEN), accessibility,
affordability, usability and the socio-technical environment all
affect digital inclusion.
The digital services included in the report include commercial
transactions and remotely offered services such as wireless
internet.
The IDEN said that the government must make the digital economy
more inclusive if it is to improve public services.
"The government needs to develop policies to make the digital
economy more inclusive, particularly for older and
disabled people, by addressing the key challenges and working
with organisations, such as charities, to raise awareness of it,"
said the IEDN.
Alan Newell, IEDN principal investigator, said,"It is
economically, socially and morally essential to provide a truly
inclusive digital economy. The people who are currently digitally
excluded are the same people who could benefit from, and are more
likely to be in need of, digitally provided services."
Newell said as people get older it is harder to use computers
because technology moves so fast it quickly becomes unfamiliar.