(12) Map shows parts of UK most excluded from digital world

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2015/oct/19/map-shows-parts-of-uk-most-excluded-from-digital-world

Summary:

A new report shows that 12 million adults in the UK are incapable of completing five basic online tasks. According to the study, people in London, Scotland and East Anglia were most adept online, while people in Wales are the least digitally skilled. The fact that millions of adults cannot do four things online we deem as the lowest level of entry to the internet not only holds them back, but also holds the country back. The digital skills report shows that nine out of 10 people can manage common tasks such as using a search engine, sending an email or instant message, and buying items from a website. However, 27% of people can not buy and install apps, and 28% cannot solve problems using online help. How often people use these skills varies too. In the three months before the survey, 78% managed information online, while just half of British adults created something digitally.

Key data/statistical information:

• Nearly one in four adults – around 12 million people – do not have basic online skills, according to a report that reveals considerable regional differences in digital exclusion.

• The report found that adults in London are most likely to be able to do all five (84%), followed by Scotland and East Anglia (both 81%), while Wales had the lowest proportion (62%).

• In Manchester 79% of adults have the five basic digital skills, but only a third have used them in the past three months.

• 49.9% of adults in the Highlands have no qualifications

• 82% of adults in Edinburgh have all five basic digital skills

• £18,400 is the average income in Ballymoney

• 23.1% of adults in Anglesey have a long-term illness or disability

• 43% of adults in North Lincolnshire have no qualifications

• £26,500 is the average income in Woking

What's my view?

I think that the fact that some parts of the UK are exluded from digital world could potentially hold back the country. Personally, I think that most of the people who are excluded from the digital world and were unable to complete the 5 tasks are older people who are not used to the technology that this generation has to offer.