For many of us, the internet is now a mainstay of our waking hours. Whether at work or play; at home or on the road; on our phones, laptops or desktops, many millions of us are almost constantly connected – and we assume this is the same for everyone.
But the reality is that digital access is a luxury for people living in poverty, and going without it often leaves them isolated and locked out of large parts of life. Deliberate and conscientious action must be taken to ensure that people struggling to make ends meet can still be digitally connected. Do you want to know more? Here are five common myths about digital poverty, debunked…
Myth 1 – Everyone has internet access these days
According to the Digital Poverty Alliance, one in seven people in Britain (around 9.5 million) are in some form of digital poverty. It is a silent crisis that is growing. Ofcom’s 2023 Online Nation (pdf) report shows that a surprising 7% of UK households have no internet access at home, while another million people are at risk due to the cost of living crisis. Digital poverty (when people do not have access to the internet and digital services when, where and how they want) can affect people from all walks of life, but is particularly acute for those who are already at a disadvantage.
Vodafone is working with the Trussell Trust to offer SIM cards, with free data and calling, to people classified as digitally excluded who visit food banks or call Help through Hardship, a helpline set up to help people who don’t have enough money for essentials.
“We know that poverty digitally excludes large numbers of people,” said Emma Revie, CEO of the Trussell Trust. “About one in six people referred to a food bank do not have access to the internet and less than half have access to a mobile network at home.” The charity is calling on all politicians to prioritize urgent reforms to the welfare system so that people can always afford basic necessities, including the internet.
Myth 2 – Internet access is a luxury, not a necessity
What seems like a minor inconvenience has the potential to impact every part of someone’s life. About 92% of jobs are only advertised online, and one in three people say they are better off because they can shop online, with access to lower prices and online offers.
“Digital exclusion exacerbates the hardships people face and makes it harder for them to access the support that could help improve their situation,” says Revie. The Trussell Trust even found that a number of people had been sanctioned for not updating their online universal credit details as they prioritized bills and food over paying for the internet. At a time when the government is planning a “widespread digital transformation” for 50 of the 75 most used services by 2025, little attention seems to be paid to the people who will be left behind when everything moves online.
At the Tottenham food bank in London, Eniola Akinlabi, campaigns and communications manager, says the partnership with Vodafone has led to transformation in some cases. “We have been able to connect people in a way that was not possible before. I can imagine a person who received a SIM card from us, used it to apply for a job and got a job.”
Myth 3 – Older people don’t need the internet
Research shows that age is still one of the most important indicators of digital exclusion. Nearly a third (31%) of over-65s in Britain do not use the internet at home. To tackle some of the challenges older people face, the Vodafone Foundation has teamed up with the charity Independent Age to launch Hi Digital, a free online tool that helps over-65s develop digital skills.
One beneficiary, 77-year-old Yvonne de Burgo from Oxfordshire, says she still remembers her first steps on the internet. “When I first tried to go online, I was nervous and made a few mistakes. Now being online has opened up my whole world. It helps keep my brain active and keeps me from feeling lonely,” she says. “I can book doctor appointments, access my medical records and it also helps me financially. I can check whether there is financial support I may be entitled to, compare energy deals and sell things I no longer need.”
A lack of digital skills is one of the factors driving the poverty trap. Research carried out by Thinks Insight and Strategy on behalf of Vodafone found that John from Leeds was among those to receive a prepaid SIM card and online skills training through Vodafone. He has several chronic health conditions that make it difficult for him to hold down a job, and he has struggled with housing insecurity for several years. He hasn’t always had the money to top up his mobile phone data and doesn’t feel he has the skills required to use technology.
Since receiving the SIM card he has been able to use the £30 a month he would have spent on his phone bill to pay for food. He feels more empowered to get around now that he can use Google Maps and view live bus schedules. And he can now bank and shop online, saving him time and money. “It helps when my anxiety flares up because I don’t have to go to a big store if I don’t feel well. My self-confidence has increased because of the freedom I now have,” he says.
Myth 4 – Everyone in Britain has access to the internet
Geographic inequality exacerbates digital poverty, with remote areas – rural and coastal – experiencing poorer internet speeds and lower mobile signal coverage. Vodafone has found that almost half (46%) of deprived rural areas are classified as 5G ‘not-spots’, while this is only the case for 2.7% of deprived communities in urban centres. Connectivity provides work opportunities, education and access to next-generation technologies, ensuring that horizons are not severely limited. As a result of the joint Shared Rural Network initiative, 250 rural locations across the UK now receive Vodafone 4G via new mobile phone masts, meaning faster and more reliable data speeds.
Myth 5 – There are no real consequences for digital poverty
Digital poverty can even have far-reaching consequences. Vodafone research has found that over-65s who don’t like the internet can spend almost £1,000 extra every year, and that 34% of people are more likely to feel stressed when services require some online interaction, such as booking a doctor’s appointment on the GP’s website.
Exclusion also impacts mental health and well-being. A survey of people with experience of digital poverty shows that 41% feel stressed and 31% feel isolated.
To date, Vodafone has helped 2.6 million people and businesses with free connectivity, devices and digital training.
Read more about Vodafone’s promise to help 4 million people and businesses bridge the digital divide here