Broadband News
eBay and internet TV should be used to get the poor online
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk
Money making sites like eBay and online television services should be promoted to tempt low-income people online, according to a consumer watchdog.
Money is not the only barrier preventing those on low incomes from getting online, the Consumer Focus report Broadband Minded has found.
“The commonly touted benefits of ‘online savings’ are not relevant to many low-income consumers who do not have bank accounts or the credit facilities needed to take advantage of the savings,” it said.
Mike O’Connor, chief executive of Consumer Focus, said: “Government has made it a priority to encourage people to get online, especially those on low incomes. Cost is not the only issue and if the government wants more people online they need to deal with consumers’ fears about the internet such as the dangers of identity theft and viruses.
“Millions of people are still not online, many of them on low incomes. Only by dealing with consumers’ fears, and promoting the online benefits that appeal to those on low incomes will more people be encouraged to get connected.”
“Many ‘non-connected’ consumers see the internet as irrelevant to their lives,” Consumer Focus told the government, adding that a more “targeted” approach was needed if the government is to meet its target of getting 7.5 million more Brits online by 2014.
Instead of savings, the benefits that the respondents - all of whom earn less than £11,500 a year - said would encourage them online included include the ability make money by selling items on auction sites like eBay, better employment prospects, the ability to do educational research, keep in touch with friends and family and access online TV services.
However, they also cited a variety of reasons why they were opposed to going online, aside from the financial constraints, and ranging from fears about viruses, personal data issues and new technology, to how internet access would affect face-to-face communication with friends and family.
While the research showed that few low-income consumers see the broadband as a priority, those who have adopted the internet said that they could no longer live without it.
Despite the falling cost of broadband in recent years, a third of households do not have internet access and only 29% of consumers earning less than £11,500 a year are online - compared to 69% for those earning over £30,000 a year.
Michael Phillips, Broadbandchoices.co.uk product director, said: “While broadband might not be a priority in low-income households, the benefits of internet access go much further than simply saving you money on your bills or weekly shopping.
“The internet allows you to make cheap, or even free, calls online - allowing you to talk to friends and family any time you want, as well as offering social interaction, a great learning resource for kids and even job opportunities and online training courses.”
Does this affect you? Want to add a comment?
Tell us about it.
|
|
|
Copyright © 2005-2012 Broadbandchoices.co.uk. All rights reserved. (v5.72)
