Lockdowns hit people without Internet access the hardest
An article published on the website of the World Economic Forum (WEF) has explored some key findings about Internet access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Main points of the article include:
- With lockdowns in effect around the world, people who relied on libraries or Internet cafes to stay connected find themselves cut off.
- The impact is felt most by the poorest.
- ‘The internet has become a basic need. It’s no longer a ‘nice-to-have’’.
The article touched on a Capgemini survey of more than 1300 people with no Internet access in six countries comprising France, Germany, India, Sweden, the UK, and the USA which found that 69% were living in poverty. Inability to access the Internet limits opportunities for the needy including employment and education amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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