Using the internet
The benefits of being ‘digitally included’ and using the internet
Many services, both public and commercial, are moving towards being online only, or ‘digital by default’. As a result of this, those people who are not able to access the internet, or are ‘digitally excluded’, may find getting the best price for products and services more difficult.
Accessing the internet at home can help to improve quality of life and independence in a number of ways.
- Saving money: on average, an individual who is online saves £440 a year by shopping around for the best deals, using price comparison websites, switching utility providers and paying bills online where discounts are regularly offered for doing so (Good Things Foundation, 2014)
- Staying connected: using video calling, email and social media to stay in touch with family and friends
- Hobbies and interests: searching for friends and family using the internet and ancestry websites, a wealth of information and advice at your fingertips, online shopping and home delivery for items more difficult to buy locally