The Digital Divide: How the Lack of Connectivity Impacts Daily Life

Key Highlights :

1. Over half of British adults believe they would struggle to get through the day - without being able to access the internet.

2. Some of the biggest challenges they believe would come from a lack of connectivity include not being able to manage their finances (31%), get online shopping done (34%) - or contact friends or family (34%).

3. The internet is used up to five times daily for booking appointments. And half of those polled (49%) claim their stress levels would rise if they couldn't access data connectivity.

4. Staying connected helps 57% with their financial management, while 54% feel it gives them the ability to successfully complete their daily tasks.

5. Almost four in ten (39%) use their phone to communicate with friends and family up to three times a day - and 34% cite this as their biggest struggle if they were to find themselves without internet connection.

6. 38% of those polled, via OnePoll, believe connectivity is more important than exercising (29%) or socialising (29%).

     In today’s digital world, it’s easy to take our access to the internet for granted. But for many, a lack of connectivity can mean a lack of access to essential services, such as managing finances, booking appointments, and staying in touch with friends and family. Research has found that the typical adult completes 90 tasks a day online, and over half of Brits (54%) believe they would struggle to get through the day without being able to access the internet.

     This digital divide can have a significant impact on life, causing stress (41%), isolation (31%), and anxiety (29%) for those affected. To raise awareness of the realities of disconnection, Vodafone has teamed up with TV presenter, Emma Willis, to create a new YouTube mini docu-series, “Everyone.Connected”.

     In the first episode, Emma highlights some of the simple daily tasks that are quick to perform when online – but become time-consuming challenges without any connection to the internet, apps, or social media. Emma said: “We wanted to get under the skin of the issue and better understand, in just a small way, what life is like for those who are digitally excluded.”

     The research also found that staying connected helps 57% with their financial management, while 54% feel it gives them the ability to successfully complete their daily tasks. Almost four in ten (39%) use their phone to communicate with friends and family up to three times a day – and 34% cite this as their biggest struggle if they were to find themselves without internet connection.

     To support the “Everyone.Connected” campaign, Vodafone is donating connectivity, skills, and devices to people and businesses across the UK living in digital exclusion. In episodes two and three, Emma meets some of those affected by the digital divide, as well as some of the charities working with Vodafone to help improve digital exclusion.

     The digital divide is an issue that is often invisible, and it’s important to raise awareness of the realities of disconnection. Everyone should benefit from digital connectivity, and it’s imperative to close the gap between those with and without access. With the help of initiatives such as “Everyone.Connected”, we can work towards a future where everyone has access to the digital world.

Continue Reading at Source : dailystar