Digital inclusion

After a literature review, this paper reports on a study of six Australian newspaper websites, which were all analysed on the same day in July 2014. The analysis seeks to assess how newspaper websites are adapting to change and how they are relating to both their own readers and to the printed versions of the same masthead.

Internet connectivity among people experiencing poverty and deprivation

Sarah Wise

Results from a 2013 Hardship Survey show the disparity in Internet connectivity between people experiencing poverty and deprivation and Australians generally. The paper presents detailed findings from the survey on Internet connectivity.

The importance of circumstance

Justine Humphry

This paper presents findings from a research project on mobile phones and the Internet in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. It is based on a study of 95 adults, families and young people experiencing homelessness which was carried out in Sydney and Melbourne in early 2014.

Availability, access and affordability across ?digital divides?:

Linda Leung

In understanding commonalities between minority groups in relation to access and affordability, the paper argues that these can no longer be considered ?minority? issues as they affect a significant proportion of the Australian population. Rather, affordability needs to be framed as part of a wider discussion about access and accessibility. Furthermore, notions of access and accessibility should be emphasised and clearly distinguished from mere availability.

New Ideas for digital affordability

Gerard Goggin

Affordability is an important and recurrent issue in telecommunications and the digital economy. this paper considers the current policy impasse, analyses leading directions, and argues for the importance of arriving at a new and unified approach to affordability.

Digital inclusion

This paper explores the current needs, challenges and benefits of digital inclusion in Australia, particularly how the concept of social inclusion is evolving with changes in technology and to social structures. This article is a pr?cis of a White Paper commissioned by Telstra. The aim is to advance understanding of digital inclusion and introduce a more refined conceptual framework for defining and addressing digital equality.