Why is this National Indicator important?
The advantages of accessing the internet can have an impact on an individual's wellbeing, education, financial situation and employment opportunities. Evidence shows that the key group who do not take advantage of the internet in their lives are actually those who might benefit most, for example from cheaper online purchasing, opportunities to keep in touch via social media and Skype, and awareness of employment vacancies. That is people who are from the older end of the spectrum, who are not employed or on low incomes, and who may have a form of disability.
Scotland's Digital Ambition http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/10/Digital/Digital-Ambition seeks to address the digital divide through its target that the rate of broadband uptake by people in Scotland should be at or above the UK average by 2013, and should be highest among the UK nations by 2015. This target considers broadband uptake, which is an alternative measure of digital participation to personal use of the internet. This is measured using data from Ofcom.
What will influence this National Indicator?
Work carried out by our Analytical Services team shows that the younger demographic group is naturally inclined to use technology with their main barrier being financial. It is expected that universal use will occur organically with this group as they enter the job market. Thus over time internet usage is likely to increase, albeit slowly, through demographic trends. Policy is however required to influence the target non-user group from the older end of the spectrum to encourage a change in their behaviour, something which the group is reported not to consider valuable to them or a necessary part of their lives. If internet providers were to target non-users - perhaps as usage becomes universal in other market segments - that might also help but it may be that they will focus more on raising income from existing users through e.g. selling faster but more expensive broadband.
What is the Government's role?
Scotland's Digital Ambition in relation to internet use is to bridge the gap between its citizens' use of the internet compared with other UK nations to be equal or higher than the UK average by 2013 and the highest of the UK nations by 2015. As above, natural forces are likely to widen internet usage to a minor extent, but not to an extent that meets that ambition. We published Scotland's Digital Future A strategy for Scotland in 2011 which set out 7 key actions to encourage Digital Participation including wider use of the internet. These actions include increasing the availability and accessibility of technology and equipment as well as reaching out to target groups through various public services to influencing a change in their behaviour encouraging them to incorporate the use of the internet into their lives.
A Project Board of senior Scottish Government officials will oversee the digital participation strand of the Digital Strategy. The Board's role in ensuring delivery will be supported by a Reference Group of external stakeholders representative of the target group(s) as well as those who can offer solutions. The Reference Group will be used to leverage actions and measures in progress of the strategy's Action Plan. Key partners include Ofcom, Scotland IS (an ICT industry representative group), BT and Scottish Libraries Information Council.
How is Scotland performing?
There has been an overall increase in the percentage of adults using the internet for personal use in recent years. The figure of 73.2% from 2010 is an increase of 3.9 percentage points compared with 2009.
The data for this chart is available at the bottom of the page
Source: Scottish Household Survey
Criteria for recent change
This evaluation is based on: any difference within 3 percentage points of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. An increase of 3 percentage points or more suggests the position is improving; whereas a decrease of 3 percentage points or more suggests the position is worsening.
Further Information
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Who are our partners?
OFCOM
Scottish Libraries Information Council
Related Strategic Objectives
Wealthier and Fairer
Smarter