The digitally illiterate
Yes, there are people who don’t have access to the Internet and there are people who don’t know how to use it or use it effectively. But I’d argue that these people won’t be increasingly disenfranchised because much of the real digital engagement is an as well as and not instead of . However, there will be a real and widening gap between those who weren’t already connected in and those who have new channels of access via the Internet.
Of course, as public servants we must find ways to help people get engaged and use new and existing paths to empowerment. We will never reach full success, and we must never stop trying. But whatever we do, we must not ignore tools because some people don’t have them yet. And we definitely must not ignore those citizens who are already gathered online and ready and willing to engage, critique, join-in and collaborate on the services and issues that matter to them.
