Australia’s digital divide is not going away

Despite large investments in the National Broadband Network, the “digital divide” in Australia remains largely unchanged, according to a new report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The Australian Household Use of Information Technology report says we are doing more online, and we are using an increasing number of connected devices. Our homes are more connected. However, the number of people using the internet is not growing, and the basic parameters of digital inequality in Australia — age, geography, education and income — continue to define access to and uses of online resources. Almost 2.6 million Australians, according to these ABS figures, do not use the internet. Nearly 1.3 million households are not connected. So what is going on? The ABS data points to the complexity of the social and economic issues involved, but it also helps us identify the key areas of concern.

Who’s missing out

Age is a critical factor. While more than nine in 10 people aged between 15 to 54 are internet users, the number drops to eight in 10 of those aged 55-64 years, and to under six in 10 of those over 65 years. Read more

Julian Thomas et al - SmartCompany - 5 April 2018