{"id":334,"date":"2020-12-14T05:59:46","date_gmt":"2020-12-14T05:59:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpmu.mau.se\/nmict202group8\/?p=334"},"modified":"2022-05-11T12:27:43","modified_gmt":"2022-05-11T12:27:43","slug":"how-much-wider-will-the-gap-get-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpmu.mau.se\/nmict202group8\/2020\/12\/14\/how-much-wider-will-the-gap-get-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"How much wider will the gap get? (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\r\n

This series of articles elucidates the consequences of what limited access to information and the ever-growing spread of misinformation have on the most vulnerable groups of the society.<\/em><\/p>\n

Access to internet has been vital during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the social distancing rules and remote work, the internet has enabled us to continue our daily duties. Mobile phone applications and internet platforms have widely been developed to provide information on health and infections. But what if a group of people is not able to access the internet or does not have mobile phones? Or if the information is distributed in a major language but not in the language spoken in a particular society?<\/p>\n

In the first part of the two-part series, I will dive into looking at how to ensure that vulnerable groups such as indigenous people and minorities are able to access official information on COVID-19 despite limitations that have to do with a lack of adequate IT equipment or poor digital literacy skills. I will explore how is this taken into account from the government\u2019s perspective when planning a pandemic response online.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Challenges of COVID-19 response online to remote Indigenous communities<\/strong><\/h6>\n

In Australia, in some of the most remote Aboriginal communities, the statistics for having computers, internet access and smart phones are significantly lower than in the rest of the country. Only six percent<\/a> of residents in these communities have a computer, a few percent have an internet connection and approximately 43 % own a smart phone. With a limited access to digital devices, it is understandable that the digital literacy skills among these remote communities are rather poor.<\/p>\n

On top of having difficulties accessing information online, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have historically experienced higher rates of disease infections than the rest of Australia\u2019s population. This makes them even more vulnerable to the pandemic and they are thought to be statistically<\/a> at a greater risk of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pandemic prevention online<\/strong><\/h6>\n

Like elsewhere in the world, the Australian government has distributed most of the real-time pandemic communications online<\/a>, i.e. via the official Australian government WhatsApp channel for COVID-19 or via the COVIDsafe app.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Image by iXimus from Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, as pointed out, not all Australians have an equal opportunity to harness the power of digital connection. This makes the digital divide<\/a> between the Indigenous Australians and the rest of the country\u2019s population even more exacerbated.<\/p>\n

\u201cTechnology could be the connecting platform, better yet, the best frontline of defence against future pandemics due to the potential of telehealth, instant distribution of health information and the ability to remain \u2018connected\u2019 to others and work while in isolation. But COVID-19 has highlighted we\u2019ve got a long way to go \u2013 and we have a chance to act now, before history repeats itself again.<\/em> Prioritising digital literacy<\/a> to boost the use of technology could help reduce the impact of all these COVID-19-inflicted challenges.\u201d <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To help boost digital literacy skills in these remote communities, the Federal Government, in consultation with three different Aboriginal communities, has created a mobile phone application called Your Online Journey<\/a> in February 2019. The application is targeted at adults that are not engaging online even if they have access to internet and it aims at taking the mystery out of getting online and guides the user how to stay safe on the internet.<\/p>\n