Digital Poverty: The New Frontier of Disadvantage

In the lead-up to Anti-Poverty Week, this conversation explores what poverty looks like in modern Australia and how digital poverty is leaving young people experiencing disadvantage further behind in education and employment opportunities.

Our CEO Doug Taylor speaks with Caroline McDaid, CEO of WorkVentures, about what can be done to bridge this digital divide and how organisations are working to ensure every young person has the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.

“There's a myth that all young people are digital natives and that digital exclusion doesn't apply to them. But what we're seeing repeatedly through research is that unequal access to technology is actually a feature of schooling these days. And as a result, that can actually deepen disadvantage in life outcomes overall,” Caroline says.

Doug and Caroline are also NSW co-chairs of this year’s Anti-Poverty Week, which aims to help Australians understand poverty and take action collectively to end it.

Conversation highlights

Caroline talks to Doug about:

• [1:27] Her most memorable education moments
• [2:58] Why we need Anti-Poverty Week in Australia
• [4:30] The definition of digital poverty and why it’s such a challenge for young people
• [7:10] Long-term impacts of digital exclusion for young people
• [8:56] Initiatives to address digital poverty in Australia
• [12:30] Policy changes required to accelerate digital access
• [13:55] How to take action this Anti-Poverty Week
• [15:24] Why she’s hopeful that change is possible to end child poverty

Watch the full conversation below or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Actions you can take to help end child poverty and close the digital divide:

• Support the call to end child poverty in Australia
• Support The Smith Family’s Digital Learning Essentials program
• Learn how your organisation can donate technology through WorkVentures.