Digital technologies, if leveraged correctly and positively, can be one of the core enablers of a new social contract; however, they have mostly accelerated inequalities. Universal access to the Internet and ICT/digital accessibility can help the world rapidly recover much of the ground that has been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, setting up a path towards a brighter, more resilient and inclusive future.

ICTs and the Internet have the potential to improve people’s lives quickly and radically but also to harm and control people. They underpin access to information and knowledge, simplify the delivery of essential services, and enable social and economic participation. On the other hand, digital technology can drive Internet addiction, cause alienation, disseminate discriminatory beliefs and false information, exacerbate marginalization, enslave people, and facilitate crimes. Unless the potential dangers are mitigated, the advantages of ICT and the Internet cannot be guaranteed for all.

Digital divides reflect and amplify existing social, cultural and economic inequalities. For example, in two out of every three countries, more men use the Internet than women.[50] Similar challenges affect youth, older people, children, persons with disabilities, and rural and indigenous populations. COVID-19 has pushed these communities even farther away from the transformative power that digital technologies have to offer.

Furthermore, substantial digital divides persist between countries. Indeed, nearly 87 per cent of people were using the Internet in developed countries in 2019, compared with 47 per cent in developing countries.​ ​​​​​Digital divides are also evident within countries. Men, urban residents and young people are more likely to be online than women, rural dwellers and older persons. Smartphone usage is still primarily concentrated in urban, wealthier and more highly educated populations, and lower access and usage rates of digital services are observed for women, persons with disabilities, people living in poverty, and other marginalized groups. Place-based policies could help bridge digital divides and reduce systemic exclusion.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development clearly states the importance of addressing the needs of these groups. SDG 5 seeks to “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” and SDG 10 aims to “reduce inequality within and among countries”. Furthermore, the UN Roadmap for Digital Cooperation[51] underscores the importance of building inclusive digital infrastructure for the post-COVID-19 world, in order to accelerate progress for all.

Inclusion is in itself a goal, but it is also a powerful enabler since there is no doubt of the positive impact brought about by more inclusive and open national digital economies. Yet digital poverty explicitly widens inequalities, as people who can afford and have access to new technologies are able to progress ahead of those who do not. Leaving no one behind in the digital world means ensuring that technology is people-centred and contributes to the upliftment of communities. This encompasses aiming for the ideal of nobody being offline due to a lack of connectivity or insufficient accessibility of digital information, products, or services.

The Action Framework for Focus Area 2, ‘ADOPTION: Empowering communities’, aims to address inequalities so that everyone is equipped with the skills and digital tools needed to use the Internet safely, everyone is aware of the benefits of being connected, and everyone feels empowered and incentivized to leverage digital technology. However, for the groups of people with lower usage due to specific barriers that they face, it is essential to focus on developing the appropriate policies, strategies and actions that address their specific needs so that they can enjoy digital inclusion. Transformation will be driven by finding ways to empower marginalized communities to make their own choices and actively participate in driving the development of digital technology that is relevant to them.

Taking a people-centred approach is key when designing accessible and affordable digital interventions. According to the Broadband Commission,[52] this is an approach that “recognizes the heterogeneity of individuals and communities (across gender, age, race and abilities and other marginalized groups such as the forcibly displaced) and underlines affordability, useful service levels and quality content. The approach emphasizes digital skills and the digital literacy required to participate fully in the digital economy, while acknowledging the importance of trust and civility in online engagement. The approach carefully directs technologies and financing aligned with user needs and requirements”.

Therefore, this focus area builds upon three key pillars: Skills, Digital inclusion and Relevant/local content and services. It conveys distinct commitments to enable change, such as clear and enforceable legal frameworks to guarantee inclusivity. ​It also recommends supporting specific local communities (through multistakeholder partnerships, collaborations and initiatives) to implement scalable roadmaps, actions, activities, and projects, to reduce the digital divide and move towards more equal access and use of ICTs for all.

What's covered in this Focus Area

Footnotes

[50] ITU. (2021). Measuring digital development: Facts and Figures 2021.
[51] United Nations. (2020). Roadmap for Digital Cooperation.
[52] Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. (2021). The State of Broadband 2021: People-Centred Approaches for Universal Broadband.