# Let's talk about digital participation ![IMG\_1813](https://storage.googleapis.com/scvo-cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_18131-1024x694.jpg) The other week the team took a bit of time out to reflect on our mission and where next for digital participation in Scotland. Part of this process was a conversation about the opportunities that the digital world is opening up for people, the new challenges that come along with it, and what else we can do to help. Here's a short summary of some of the things we discussed. * * * ### Opportunities The digital world is opening up all sorts of opportunities for people to learn, get things done and participate in society. We spent a lot of time talking about how the internet can help people stay in touch, and how the extra flexibility can make it easier to balance different things in your life. * It's easier than ever to find information, discover new things, learn * Apps can take some of the hassle out of day-to-day life, e.g. bus times, school dinner money * It's easier to start things e.g. self-publish a book, raise money on [Kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/) or [IndieGoGo](https://www.indiegogo.com/) * It's easier to reach a wide audience, build a social movement * Digital can help reduce isolation and loneliness, it's possible to stay connected without being physically together * Huge opportunity to increase democratic participation and engagement with civil society * Disruptive new technologies, particularly in healthcare, VR and machine learning * The way we work and the jobs we do can be more flexible * Moving public services online should make them easier and more efficient * * * ### Challenges There are some real and pressing challenges as more of our lives move online. Safety and security came up a lot, and in particular how hard this can be for people who aren't used to doing things online. We also spent a lot of time on the digital divide, and in particular whether the gap between the haves and have-nots is getting wider (even as the absolute number of people affected is going down). * It feels like things are changing faster all the time, and it can be hard to follow * The digital divide is still with us, and may be getting more pronounced as those who are online pull further ahead * Information overload and analysis paralysis * [Staying safe and secure online](http://arstechnica.co.uk/security/2015/07/what-amateurs-can-learn-from-security-pros-about-staying-safe-online/), and keeping control of your privacy * Some jobs are pretty tough, and [automation may make others obsolete](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/11858391/The-new-white-collar-fear-will-robots-take-your-job.html) * The online echo chamber and mob mentality can be pretty unpleasant * Digital-by-default public services may risk leaving some users behind * * * ### Things we could do to help We have a [growing programme of activity in place](http://www.scvo.scot/blog/a-sneak-peak-at-one-digital/) to promote digital participation in Scotland, but there's always more that could be done. Our discussion here echoed lots of the things that we hear when we're out and about meeting people involved in local and hyperlocal digital skills projects. * Provide more thought leadership, and keep raising the profile of digital participation * Run more hands-on workshops and practical support for organisations * Collect and disseminate more resources and learning materials for people to re-use * Showcase more of the stories of people making a difference to digital participation * Scale up our portfolio of [community projects](http://digital.scvo.scot/projects/) and [partners](http://digital.scvo.scot/charter/) * * * If you'd like to find out more about our work then [check out our website](http://digital.scvo.scot) and [read our latest annual report](http://digital.scvo.scot/about/annual-report-2015/). Or even better, to join the conversation just [drop us an email](mailto:digital@scvo.scot) or [find us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/digiscot)! --- ## About SCVO SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector. Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact. SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector. Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners. Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities. SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience. Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org). For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)