Mar 13, 2025 10:03 PM
(This post was last modified: Mar 14, 2025 01:13 AM by C C.)
Digitalizing essential services risks widening inequalities for minority ethnic communities
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1076860
EXCERPTS: The rapid digitisation of essential services in the UK is deepening inequalities for minoritised ethnic communities, a major three-year research project has found.
Without careful design, online services risk excluding those already facing digital exclusion, language barriers and systemic discrimination, according to the Protecting Minority Ethnic Communities Online (PRIME) study, which publishes a series of policy briefs, a Code of Practice and videos in multiple languages alongside a suite of free-to-use technological tools - today.
Led by Professor Gina Netto of Heriot-Watt University, the interdisciplinary research team examined the impact of digitalisation on healthcare, housing, and energy services across the UK.
Conducted in four locations - Bradford, Manchester, Glasgow and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets - the study highlights the particular issues that minoritised ethnic communities face when essential services move largely online.
Researchers found that poorly designed digital platforms, combined with a lack of support and inadequate regulatory oversight, could further marginalise vulnerable groups.
“While digital technology has enormous potential, it can also entrench existing inequalities,” said Professor Netto, Professor in International Migration and Racial Justice, at Heriot-Watt University’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society.
“For those with limited English proficiency, digital literacy or access to adequate digital devices and internet connectivity, the barriers to navigating online systems can be insurmountable. And in areas like healthcare, where privacy and human interaction are crucial, over-reliance on digital services can actually create harm.”
[...] As the UK and devolved governments push forward with digital transformation, researchers and community advocates are calling for urgent policy changes. Without robust regulation and inclusive design, the benefits of digital public services will remain out of reach for many.
“The shift online must not leave people behind,” Professor Netto said. “We need a fundamental change which puts digital inclusion at the heart of service design and actively uses digital services to address existing inequalities.” (MORE - missing details, no ads)
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Symbolic capitalism posturing as progressive government: "We want to be the do-gooder champion for marginalized ethnic communities. So let's squeeze the services wholly online and make access so difficult that only native, largely white, affluent or tech-savvy English speakers can effectively access them."
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1076860
EXCERPTS: The rapid digitisation of essential services in the UK is deepening inequalities for minoritised ethnic communities, a major three-year research project has found.
Without careful design, online services risk excluding those already facing digital exclusion, language barriers and systemic discrimination, according to the Protecting Minority Ethnic Communities Online (PRIME) study, which publishes a series of policy briefs, a Code of Practice and videos in multiple languages alongside a suite of free-to-use technological tools - today.
Led by Professor Gina Netto of Heriot-Watt University, the interdisciplinary research team examined the impact of digitalisation on healthcare, housing, and energy services across the UK.
Conducted in four locations - Bradford, Manchester, Glasgow and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets - the study highlights the particular issues that minoritised ethnic communities face when essential services move largely online.
Researchers found that poorly designed digital platforms, combined with a lack of support and inadequate regulatory oversight, could further marginalise vulnerable groups.
“While digital technology has enormous potential, it can also entrench existing inequalities,” said Professor Netto, Professor in International Migration and Racial Justice, at Heriot-Watt University’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society.
“For those with limited English proficiency, digital literacy or access to adequate digital devices and internet connectivity, the barriers to navigating online systems can be insurmountable. And in areas like healthcare, where privacy and human interaction are crucial, over-reliance on digital services can actually create harm.”
[...] As the UK and devolved governments push forward with digital transformation, researchers and community advocates are calling for urgent policy changes. Without robust regulation and inclusive design, the benefits of digital public services will remain out of reach for many.
“The shift online must not leave people behind,” Professor Netto said. “We need a fundamental change which puts digital inclusion at the heart of service design and actively uses digital services to address existing inequalities.” (MORE - missing details, no ads)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Symbolic capitalism posturing as progressive government: "We want to be the do-gooder champion for marginalized ethnic communities. So let's squeeze the services wholly online and make access so difficult that only native, largely white, affluent or tech-savvy English speakers can effectively access them."
