Mayor of London Boris Johnson is calling for an army of volunteers to become digital champions and help ensure that every Londoner has access to the internet and digital services.
The Mayor’s Digital Inclusion Strategy for London has revealed that around 1 in 10 people in the capital have never used the Internet and almost 2 million Londoners do not have basic online skills.
With the creation and use of digital services rocketing it is much harder for those people to access government services, shopping deals, social media, training, employment and other opportunities.
Johnson said:
“This is a digital age and every Londoner should be able to take advantage of the myriad of services available online.
“I want this strategy to act as a rallying call to the people who can help unlock the tools that Londoners without tech skills need to be able to access a digital world that could make a huge difference to their lives.”
There is no single reason for people being digitally excluded and often it can be a combination of reasons such as not being able to afford the connections or being able to access training.
While surfing the net comes naturally to some – 99% of 16 to 19 year olds have used the Internet – the strategy highlights the groups who are less likely to log on.
Only 39% of people over the age of 75 have been online. Disability has also been identified as a barrier to Internet connectivity, with almost 30% of disabled adults having never used the Internet, compared to just 6% of nondisabled adults.
Chances of employment
A lack of digital skills also has a big impact on Londoners chances of employment. Around 72% of employers say they would not interview an entry level candidate without basic tech skills; and people with those skills typically earn between three and 10% more than those without them.
As part of his Digital Inclusion Strategy the Mayor has outlined a series of measures to tackle digital exclusion in a bid to put every Londoner on the path to tech expertise.
He wants to see the government, the voluntary sector, housing associations and corporate partners work together to help more people get online.
Team London, the Mayor’s volunteering programme is looking to mobilise Londoners to become Digital Champions who will train people in becoming digitally literate.
Kathy Valdes, managing director for Digital Unite said the help of others can be the key to developing digital skills.
She said:
“In our long-held experience of providing digital skills learning we have seen that those who are not online or who have poor digital skills need help to develop their confidence, their knowledge, their dexterity and their motivation.
“For that they need regular and accessible one-to-one support over a long period of time. That’s where the role of a Digital Champion, Buddy or Friend can be hugely effective.
“And if these Digital Champion volunteers can be empowered and supported to help the digitally excluded, then many more people can begin to make the internet part of their daily lives, whoever and wherever they are.”
Londoners interested in becoming a Digital Champion should visit the volunteer team website.