Deborah Botende, who grew up in foster care, had no internet access at home and relied on a shopping center’s wifi to complete her schoolwork. "Having no internet was such a significant barrier to my education... I had to constantly be proactive," she recalls, indicating how digital exclusion hindered her learning. Despite the challenges, she persevered, exemplifying determination in the face of adversity.
The CEO of The Smith Family, Doug Taylor, highlighted the urgent need for equitable access to technology: "Digital poverty is the new frontier of how people experience poverty. It's a barrier over and above access." He underscores that a national device bank could rectify the digital divide affecting millions of students.
The Australian Digital Inclusion Index reveals nearly a quarter of Australians are digitally excluded, lacking essential technology. Taylor explains that "if the 10 million refreshed devices were recycled, 10 million students could benefit," showcasing the potential impact of properly structuring access initiatives.
Echoing successful precedents from other countries, Taylor references Canada’s Computers for Schools program, which "has refurbished and distributed almost two million digital devices". This serves as a compelling model for Australia to enhance the educational prospects of digitally disadvantaged youth.
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