With the introduction of Universal Credit, 80% of all benefit applications are expected to be online after 2017. Not only the Government but companies too are signing up to ‘digital by default’. Having the skills to be digitally confident and capable has never been so important.
Yet while technology has advanced enormously over the last few years, the digital skills gap is stubbornly persistent. Seven million people in the UK have never used the internet – six million of them aged over 55. Millions more don’t have basic online skills such as sending emails or searching the web.
In 1996 when Digital Unite started, relatively few people had online skills because – quite simply – we didn’t need them in our everyday lives. The internet was only just being used by the general public. It was OK not to know too much.
It is now not OK at all. Access to the internet is fundamentally changing the way people connect and how they access information and support. Those who can’t use technology are losing out on many levels – being able to access cheaper shopping deals, internet banking, online council tax payments or car tax renewals. Offline households miss out on estimated savings of £560 each year from shopping and paying bills online.
The biggest barriers to digital use are lack of knowledge, motivation and confidence. When social care employers and unpaid carers were asked in a MORI study, they cited lack of skills and knowledge as the biggest barrier. Indeed 63% of working age non users and 78% of retired non users state they don’t know how to use the internet.*
But once online they fly. In our own research among over 55s who are using the internet, 86% said being online had improved their lives. It helped them to feel part of modern society (81%), save money (82%), feel less isolated (72%) and keep better in touch with friends and family (57%).
Older people need to be enthused by modern technology, to see how it can be relevant to them and how it can make their lives better, easier and more connected.
So the success of any initiative to get residents online has to be driven by confidence and encouragement. Firstly, the confidence of the housing organisation or care home to recognise how increasingly important getting online is, to access financial services, pay bills, make benefits applications and even use library services . And how valuable and uplifting it can be for residents to access new ways to communicate with family and friends.
We also know from years of experience that older people’s ability to access the internet is only as good as the expertise that is available to help and encourage them.
That’s where campaigns like Spring Online come in. Friendly, informal taster sessions within the community can reassure, advise and help residents feel confident and excited about the possibilities of using technology. Since the campaign began more than 200,000 people have been helped and inspired to get online, many for the first time. We’re rolling up our sleeves to reach thousands more people this April.
*Booz & Co / Go ON UK