People not conversant with ICT cannot benefit from online services.

Having every citizen connected online and ICT- competent is fundamental for a nation that aspires to build its social and economic future also on development derived through ICTs. Such aspiration, which is equally shared by our European counterparts, warrants our ongoing intervention to ensure that disparities such as those induced by age, gender, disability, economic means and illiteracy are identified and effectively addressed.

Sadly, around one in every three Maltese (29 per cent) stands on the wrong side of the digital divide, excluding themselves from the online activities of their respective communities. They are not on any social media and neither do they have an e-mail account or an eID. Consequently, they cannot bene-fit from online services such as eHealth,internet shopping, internet banking and eGovernment.

There are diverse aspects to the digital divide. In the past one thought of the digital divide as the gap between those who possessed the skills to use a computer, or had access to a computer system, versus those who did not.

As more and more people learned how to use the computer and the internet, especially at work or at school, the digital divide became a phenomenon that could increasingly be determined by economic factors such as possessing sufficient disposable income to buy a PC or to have access to the internet, and consequently exploit the internet for entertainment and education purposes.

Digital divide is also represented by the socially marginalised. For example, individuals who, due to financial constraints, cannot afford a PC or access to the internet, or the disabled who due to their condition cannot make use of conventional means and therefore cannot make use of specially-designed software or devices to help them circumvent their disability. There are the elderly, who after a lifetime working hard and raising and educating children never had the opportunity to use ICTs, and now find it challenging to learn what many of us consider an acquired competence.

All these categories of people must be supported, taking due account of their special needs and capabilities, and then given guidance to help them realise the benefits that can be attained through the internet and technology.

Statistics indicate that 98 per cent of individuals aged 16 to 24 are using the internet – a stark contrast to the mere 39 per cent of those aged 55 to 64 who use the internet. Recently, through the Malta Communications Authority (MCA), we launched a new ICT training scheme ‘Never too late’ for people aged 65 years and over in order to encourage more individuals in this age bracket to take the first step and start engaging more actively with technology and in related online activities, an initiative supported by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing.

Being independent at such an age is crucial for their overall well-being. By embracing technologies and going online, training courses such as these allow elderly participants to be able to shop, make use of a number of banking, government and other services, and look up endless information on their health, all from the comfort of their own homes.

The digital gender divide is yet another issue, as we generally see fewer girls or women enrolling for ICT subjects

The digital gender divide is yet another issue, as we generally see fewer girls or women enrolling for ICT courses as well as other STEM subjects, due more to social and cultural conditioning than to any cognitive difference between genders. Recently, via the government IT agency (Mita) we launched yet another initiative called ‘Only Girls Allowed’, to encourage young female students to take up computing studies at secondary school level.

We have now gone beyond the Knowledge Economy and into the next era, namely the Innovation Economy, that is a new mindset that enables people to create for themselves, be their own entrepreneurs, be socially innovative and implement what they believe is good for them. We are in a society that is creating digital content, and not only making use of the internet but going that further step by reshaping and developing online content.

Unfortunately, internet access is still not available to all of the Maltese public. Rather than focusing on providing access, we now need to look more closely at explaining what technology is really about and convincing more people that it can bring value to the life of each and every one of us.

The Government is committed to narrowing as much as possible the existing digital divide through various measures. This commitment is more than just an objective in the Government’s electoral programme, it is an underlying principle that with the support of the whole Government, MITA, MCA, local councils and private industry, we are managing to narrow considerably the digital divide week by week.

I finally invite those of us who can use ICT confidently to be forthcoming and to offer a helping hand to those who might feel challenged by ICT in general. I would like a market that features ICT products and services that are more accessible and affordable by all - and I emphasise “all” - in our society.

edward.zammit-lewis@gov.mt

Edward Zammit Lewis is the Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth.