Forcing people online, if it works at all, will create a class of digital refugees, isolated in their new online environment. But by supporting people to come online and form meaningful, effective relationships, perhaps we can create a nation of digital citizens.

Stephen Whitehead wrote on the UK’s National Digital Inclusion Conference, where much was made about ‘forcing’ people into using online service by shutting down the offline. He makes a very good point about how Digital Refugees will be created who fall down the crevice between adaptability and capability, especially if that ‘forced’ migration does not include adequate support and protections. [Read more...]