Ian Jones, Senior Research Officer for the Welsh Government, discusses findings from research into digital inclusion

Jones, Ian

LSE Research Online

7/6/2017 Social Digital Series: Digital inclusion and evidence-based policy: Insights from Wales | LSE Media Policy Projecthttp://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2012/03/29/social-digital-series-digital-inclusion-and-evidence-based-policy-insights-from-wales/ 1/3Social Digital Series: Digital inclusion and evidence-based policy: Insightsfrom WalesIan Jones, Senior Research Officer for the Welsh Government, discussesfindings from research into digital inclusion.The past two years have seen a rapid development in the evidence base thatunderpins the Welsh Government’s digital inclusion policy.Previously, digital inclusion policy was based on practical experience incommunities across Wales to show what worked in getting people online, but there was little in theway of robust evidence.To address this, the Welsh Government devised a programme of research, including analysis ofnational survey data, mapping of internet use rates at neighbourhood level, and case studies of olderpeople to understand the lived experiences of those affected by digital inclusion policies.Much of the research undertaken to date has been brought together under two Welsh Governmentpublications – the Digital Inclusion Analysis Package and Economic and Social Benefits forIndividuals and Wider Society. Some of the most insightful findings from the programme of researchso far are presented below.It’s not just about accessPhysical access to the internet is not a magic bullet that raises participation in education, the jobmarket, or civic life. It is the way the internet is used, rather than physical access, that can have apositive impact on an individuals’ education and employment prospects. In order to boost educationalachievement and future earning potential through digital inclusion, underlying socio-economicinequalities need to be addressed. Even as internet access becomes more commonplace, socio-economic status impacts on the way it is used.In addition, research from around the world continues to highlight that access to the internet is not, onits own, enough to get some individuals and groups digitally engaged. Once digitally excludedindividuals are given the opportunity to explore the possibilities in a safe and supportive environment,they can become much more involved and positive about ICT in general.Online public services – assessing the true costExisting evidence shows that there is potential to reduce transaction costs for public services bydelivering services online. However, the true cost of online transactions may exceed traditionalchannels, such as telephone or face-to-face, where electronic services are not properly integratedand data need to be manually re-entered into back-office systems by staff. The web may be a low-cost channel – but only if it is properly integrated. In addition, digital innovation in the public sectorshould consider how potential benefits to service users – such as cheaper, more efficient services –are distributed across different social and economic groups.The importance of age7/6/2017 Social Digital Series: Digital inclusion and evidence-based policy: Insights from Wales | LSE Media Policy Projecthttp://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2012/03/29/social-digital-series-digital-inclusion-and-evidence-based-policy-insights-from-wales/ 2/3March 29th, 2012 | Guest Blog | 0 CommentsWhilst income, employment status, housing, educational attainment and disability status are allrelated to levels of digital engagement, nothing is as important as age. While around 750,000 adultsin Wales did not use the internet in 2010, more than 500,000 were aged 50 years or over. Olderpeople were the least likely to be using the internet irrespective of their type of housing, income oractivity level.Choice or exclusion?An important distinction is made between digital disengagement through personal choice and throughsocio-economic, health or skills constraints. Digital disengagement through personal choice is closelylinked to age and life stage of an individual, with those who are not interested in using the internettending to be older and retired people. This distinction between disengagement through choice andexclusion has consequences for how policy intervention is tailored.The social housing questionThe most striking increase in internet use in Wales over the last few years was among those living insocial housing. Between 2007 and 2010, the proportion of adults living in social housing that use theinternet increased from four out of ten, to six out of ten (the increase across all adults in Wales overthis period was from six out of ten, to seven out of ten). This change among social housing residentswas not anticipated and the reasons for it are unclear. Have such increases among social housingresidents been observed elsewhere?Where do we go from here?As a result of this research, it has been possible for the Welsh Government to better target support tothose most in need, and build relationships with organisations in the private, public and third sectorswhich are best placed to help deliver. The research has largely supported the initial assumptionsmade by policy officials but one perspective that has changed considerably is to appreciate that ageis the main issue – previously, digital inclusion was seen primarily as a social class issue.Digital inclusion rates across Wales will continue to be monitored to help target policy intervention.Whilst a significant body of evidence and analysis has been brought together over the past two years,our understanding of digital inclusion is far from complete and some areas require furtherinvestigation, including:A greater understanding of the causal relationships between internet use and educational, employment,economic and wellbeing outcomes.A focus on providing a more meaningful assessment of how digital inclusion interventions may be tailored fordifferent disabilities.A better understanding of how different ethnic groups use the internet and the extent to which they aredigitally engaged.Observing whether the large increase in internet use among social housing residents in Wales will continue –and also to find out how this increase can be explained.More information about Welsh Government activities to tackle digital exclusion is available on ourwebsite.7/6/2017 Social Digital Series: Digital inclusion and evidence-based policy: Insights from Wales | LSE Media Policy Projecthttp://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2012/03/29/social-digital-series-digital-inclusion-and-evidence-based-policy-insights-from-wales/ 3/3

Social Digital Series: Digital inclusion and evidence-based policy: Insights from Wales

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