Digital inclusion, but not much – 02/15/2024 – Education

Brazil has significant numbers when it comes to the internet: 88% of the population uses the network, and the connection is available in 80% of the country’s homes. Access in itself is certainly a positive indicator, but it is far from meaning the full digital inclusion of Brazilians.

Some time ago, the idea of ​​digital inclusion (or exclusion) was closely linked to the availability of the infrastructure and tools necessary to be on the internet. We lived with very limited applications and resources, cell phones that were basically used to make calls and an internet that was far from offering the plethora of content available today.

With the sophistication of digital technologies, it is essential to give new contours to the concept of inclusion. The internet, in recent years, has enabled exposure to a multitude of content (reliable or not), contact with people from all over the world (could be scientists in a pandemic or malicious actors who distort information about vaccines, for example) and self-expression (not always used responsibly and critically).

The opportunities are many, but so are the challenges.

It is in this complex scenario that the concept of digital inclusion is given new meaning, in order to contemplate more stable, qualified, safe and ethical access to the internet. In this conception, unfortunately, the data in Brazil are not so favorable.

The ICT Household survey launched in 2023 by the Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) shows that the majority of Brazilians (62%) access the network exclusively via cell phone. The percentage reaches 84% ​​when we look only at the population from socially and economically disadvantaged classes (D and E). Many people in these groups have limited cell phone plans, which significantly restricts their online experience.

“We look at the activities carried out by citizens who only use their cell phones and, on the other hand, citizens who use multiple devices (computer, notebook, tablet and cell phone), and we have an absolutely blatant issue of the limitations of skills for those who only use their cell phones “, said this week Alexandre Barbosa, manager of the Regional Center for Studies for the Development of the Information Society (Cetic.br) and responsible for ICT research, which generates national statistics on access and use of information and communication technologies.

During a debate on Safer Internet Day, promoted by Safernet, Barbosa cited some examples: 71% of people who use multiple devices to access the internet say they check whether the information they find is reliable, compared to just 37% of those who only use their cell phone. Or, 74% of users of multiple devices adopt security measures to protect devices and accounts, compared to 35% of those who only use their phone.

“We have adopted the concept of meaningful connectivity, which is a relatively new concept, four to five years old, which expands the debate on digital inclusion”, he added. “Before the debate was about providing access, regardless of what quality, what network availability, what device. The new concept goes beyond the binary question of having access or not and includes very relevant dimensions, such as digital skills .”

There is no silver bullet to transform the internet into a safer, more reliable and fair space. But digital and media education is, without a doubt, an important ingredient, as it prepares society for a more critical and responsible use of the network, with a focus on the integrity of information, the protection of children and adolescents and the right to freedom of expression. expression that does not appropriate hate speech, among many other topics dear to humanity.