Sport England and Good Things Foundation have released research exploring the intersection between digital inclusion and physical activity.
They say:
- 15% of UK adults are unable to complete the 8 foundational digital skills
- Sections of the population who are digitally excluded are very similar to those with the lowest activity levels…
- older adults
- disabled people
- people experiencing poverty
- people living with long-term health conditions
- Digital exclusion is not a ‘fixed’ state. People may face one or more digital barriers, to different degrees, at different times
- Whilst digital exclusion is a barrier against some people’s ability to access and engage with physical activity, there are likely other factors also shaping people’s activity levels
- The research on the barriers different groups face to engaging with physical activity highlights potential opportunities for digital tools and platforms to increase activity among some priority groups
Examples of UK initiatives that use digital tools include: ‘Beat The Street’, ‘We Are Undefeatable’, ‘This Girl Can’ and ‘Big Sister’.