A new report from the NZ Digital Skills Forum shows a large shortfall in advanced digital skills and also notes the underlying need for every citizen to be digitally literate, quoting “Digital skills should be treated with the same importance as numeracy and literacy.” ... Read more
Minister Clare Curran has called for expressions of interest in serving on a new Digital Economy and Digital Inclusion Advisory Group; its first priority is to develop a Blueprint for digital inclusion and digital enablement. The group will be up to 15 people who reflect New Zealand’s diverse communities, age groups and ethnicities, including perspectives from Māori. ... Read more
Despite children’s massive online presence – 1 in 3 internet users worldwide is a child – too little is done to protect them from the perils of the digital world and to increase their access to safe online content, UNICEF says. The State of the World’s Children 2017: Children in a Digital World presents UNICEF’s first comprehensive look at how digital technology is affecting children’s lives and life chances, identifying dangers as well as opportunities. ... Read more
Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Clare Curran has released a research report describing the digital divide in New Zealand. Ms Curran says: “We’re doing well in terms of improving connectivity for New Zealanders, but while more people are getting better connectivity, more people are also being left behind. ... Read more
20/20 strategic partner InternetNZ has released the 2017 State of the Internet report, looking at 1) access to the Internet, 2) creative uses of the Internet, and 3) look at trust and security issues in New Zealand. Amongst other conclusions, InternetNZ said “We are going to focus much more on digital divides…” ... Read more
The annual global ‘Hour of Code’ campaign is next week, 4th December to 10th December, in Computer Science Education Week. According to hourofcode.com 302 events are taking place in New Zealand next week, including Minecraft in Te Reo. ... Read more
The Hon. Clare Curran, the new Minister for Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media, and for Government Digital Services laid out the new government plans and her priority action list today. In her wide ranging speech – her first keynote speech as Minister – Clare Curran covered many digital issues, with a strong and consistent thread of digital inclusion and of addressing the rise of digital inequality in NZ. ... Read more
Poverty was one of the big issues in the 2017 New Zealand election. The Digital Divide Map, a joint project with our strategic partner Internet NZ, shows that there is a strong correlation between social well-being and digital inclusion (measured by access to the internet and digital skills). Our research has shown that digital skills provide a unique stepping stone to escape from poverty by reducing daily costs, improving employment and earning capacity. ... Read more
NetHui is New Zealand’s most diverse and interactive Internet community event – and this year’s conversation promises to be as engaging as ever with a sterling line-up of keynotes, panels and facilitated sessions. We are super excited to support this event as session facilitators and as an InternetNZ strategic partner. We would love you to come and join in the conversation. ... Read more
Laurence Millar, Chair of the 20/20 Trust, expressed his delight at this news. “Computers in Homes has been operating for 17 years and has supported nearly 19,000 families, but we estimate there are still 40,000 households with school-aged children without access to the internet,” he said. “Today’s announcement will help ensure the children in these households are not disadvantaged in their learning, and that the adults have the opportunity to use digital skills in all aspects of their lives.” ... Read more
