Spreading the Benefits of Digital Participation: Interim Report
The interim report of the Inquiry into spreading the benefit of digital participation in Scotland sets out the findings of evidence-gathering activities across Scotland and outlines the Inquiry?s emerging recommendations on the actions that the Scottish Government, local authorities and private and voluntary sector partners must take to avoid a growing digital divide. The report identifies three fundamental factors for digital inclusion and makes recommendations on how they can be addressed: ? Affordable access, both through having the right digital infrastructure in place across Scotland and through finding new ways for people to get an affordable connection, for example through housing associations; ? Motivating people and businesses to get online, focusing on the community level - people will be more interested in participating if their friends, family, others who share their interests or, for businesses, their customers, are online; and ? Equipping people with the skills they need to use digital technologies safely, confidently and creatively. In a digital society this may range from digital literacy skills to wider ICT awareness to fundamental computer science
