Digital literacy

Many people are confident using common digital platforms. However, some of your members may find using technology challenging. A lack of digital literacy can create a barrier for members engaging in your activities. It may also prevent local parties having the skills to facilitate online meetings and using technology to engage with members. Without these skills, under-represented groups can be unintentionally further excluded.

If you have a digital skills gap, some things you might want to consider to help your digital activities be more inclusive are:

• A survey of members to find out what skills they would like to develop;
• Digital skills training and demonstrations of how to use common digital programmes online meeting platforms;
• Circulating written ‘how to’ guides for the platforms or technology you use
• Including digital skills in development plans for local parties;
• Asking members who have digital skills to help train others;

Be aware that technology is often socialised towards men, which means that women may feel more comfortable doing digital training in an all women group. Conversely women who have technology skills may be overlooked for training roles or excluded from sharing skills due unconscious bias.

Consider the ways you advertise technology volunteer roles and make it clear you welcome expressions of interest from underrepresented groups and take steps to facilitate involvement. For example, women often fulfil caring roles which may limit the disposable time they have. Parties might want to consider creating opportunities for role sharing and involving women who have tech skills in shaping what these roles look like.

Go back to the Online Activities homepage