Internet access - Basic requirement for todays living?

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ANglEAUT

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#226093 20-Dec-2017 10:00

Why and how is Internet access required in todays world?

Extracting tdgeek's comment from this StatsNZ thread and the subsequent comments, why do you think Internet access is less important than other things for the poor?

IcI:
@Pumpedd:
@tdgeek: I dont see an iPads for the Poor Act anytime soon. There are far more worrying issues for the poor than the internet.
Totally disagree here.
Internet access for all homes is almost essential now as ...

@nickb800: Internet access at home is pretty fundamental to achieving good education outcomes for kids ...

I have to jump onto the bandwagon here. Internet access has become a requirement to participate in everyday life as a normal* citizen. ...

I think it is very important and that is why I like to quote Clare Curran from this GZ news article:
“I’m committed to reducing the gap between the digital ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’. This group will help us achieve that,” Ms Curran says.
“Digital technology is changing the way Kiwis live their lives, affecting the way we do business, work, and interact with each other and our communities. Given the pace at which our world is changing, we need to ensure no-one is left behind.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

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#1922389 20-Dec-2017 10:23

Pretty fundamental for anything. What with banks charging for branch access/online statements, most interactions with them are via the internet. Telcos also.

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Pumpedd

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#1922393 20-Dec-2017 10:31

WINZ now expect beneficiaries to have internet as it has stopped sending out hardcopy letters and uses its own portal. It advises "its clients" to shop around for good deals on cheap internet but doesnt contribute in any way.

Rikkitic

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#1922396 20-Dec-2017 10:32

Internet access is important, no question about that. Not sure if it is essential yet, though things are moving in that direction. For children I think computer access is an essential part of their education, but that does not necessarily have to include Internet access.

There are still people, mainly in certain religious communities, who don’t want to have anything to do with the Internet at all. They are able to arrange their lives in that manner and I think this will continue, just as the Amish in America are able to continue living without technology but still able to meet their legal obligations. Our government would love to get everyone on-line, but will have to continue to accommodate those who refuse to take this step. I’m sure there will always be some kind of possibility, at the post office or elsewhere, for people to communicate with government departments on paper forms.

Apart from interacting with authorities, what is essential depends on what one finds important. There are still people who get by quite well without telephones. Many older people especially still do not have computers of any kind and never will. I have an older friend who belongs to this category. She has a landline phone, TV, and even a DVD player, but no computer and she wouldn’t have a clue how to turn one on. She is not a recluse and she functions perfectly well in the modern world. She just does not see any need for a computer (or a smart phone) in her life.

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6FIEND

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#1922403 20-Dec-2017 10:42

Obviously, being digitally-able is a significant advantage in today's society. One could convincingly make an argument that Internet access is becoming "essential".

However - basic literacy and numeracy are "more essential".

We still have a large number of people who need to clear that hurdle before that can get anything out of the Internet besides bingeing on Netflix.

tdgeek

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#1922408 20-Dec-2017 10:54

I wasn't implying it wasnt important. I was meaning that for the poor, if they struggle to feed the family, house the family and clothe the family, its a bit hard to stump up with $60+ a month for BB, and a device such as a $300 laptop or a cheap tablet to use it.

Everyone, poor included, seem to have a smartphone, so that can manage email capably if the screen isnt too small, and we seem to have many cheap phones that have good sized screens. Apps can manage internet banking and any service that is based around an app, such as telco's.

Looking at it that way, the "phone" that many have had for what seems decades, does cover the basic and desirable needs online. That makes home broadband for the poor a long long way from essential. Desirable yes, more convenient, yes but not close to essential

Now, if smartphone based internet is enough for these desirable needs, home BB is not a basic requirement as per the thread title. It just happens to be more convenient

MikeB4

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#1922419 20-Dec-2017 11:29

Pumpedd:

WINZ now expect beneficiaries to have internet as it has stopped sending out hardcopy letters and uses its own portal. It advises "its clients" to shop around for good deals on cheap internet but doesnt contribute in any way.

I feel MSD should fund basic Internet connection, it is a vital tool in the job search. It is also a learning resource.

wellygary

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#1922425 20-Dec-2017 11:40

Pumpedd:

WINZ now expect beneficiaries to have internet as it has stopped sending out hardcopy letters and uses its own portal. It advises "its clients" to shop around for good deals on cheap internet but doesnt contribute in any way.

Not quite true,

they have arranged with Spark, Vodafone, 2degrees and Skinny to Zero rate their websites for mobile data users

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/our-services/cheap-as-data/index.html

MikeB4

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#1922462 20-Dec-2017 12:01

Payment of Internet access by MSD could be paid under 124 (1) (d) if the Minister approves a policy change or under Sections 61(g) or 69(c)

tdgeek

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#1922469 20-Dec-2017 12:12

MikeB4:

Pumpedd:

WINZ now expect beneficiaries to have internet as it has stopped sending out hardcopy letters and uses its own portal. It advises "its clients" to shop around for good deals on cheap internet but doesnt contribute in any way.

I feel MSD should fund basic Internet connection, it is a vital tool in the job search. It is also a learning resource.

Then complaints that its not unlimited for games and Netflix! I think Spark once had a beneficiary plan that was very very cheap, I think it was tied in with budgetting people, unsure where that went.

Pumpedd

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#1922479 20-Dec-2017 12:29

wellygary:

Pumpedd:

WINZ now expect beneficiaries to have internet as it has stopped sending out hardcopy letters and uses its own portal. It advises "its clients" to shop around for good deals on cheap internet but doesnt contribute in any way.

Not quite true,

they have arranged with Spark, Vodafone, 2degrees and Skinny to Zero rate their websites for mobile data users

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/our-services/cheap-as-data/index.html

and?

You still need data plans whether or not its land or mobile plus the devices themselves. Remember these people dont get annual increases like those on superannuation.

Bit off the topic...but imo internet is now essential for minimum of baby boomers and below and probably vital for school children.

JayADee

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#1923792 22-Dec-2017 21:35

How do you manage you money ie bills, banking, without it?
Edit: serious question!!

Rikkitic

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#1923807 22-Dec-2017 23:22

JayADee: How do you manage you money ie bills, banking, without it?
Edit: serious question!!

Serious answer to serious question: As a pensioner, I have no problem at all. Bills and banking needs are simple and minimal. I collect them and go to the post office from time to time. I have a Kiwibank debit card which I use when I want to buy something on-line. I refuse to use Real Me or anything like that and I force the authorities to deal with me in person or via paper forms. I do use the Internet, for lots of things, but I don't rely on it. I can get by quite well without it for my day to day needs. I also don't have a smart phone. The only thing I would miss is the ability to stream content from around the world, but I used to really enjoy reading books and could easily pick that up again if I had to.

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JayADee

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#1924388 24-Dec-2017 09:18

Rikkitic:
JayADee: How do you manage you money ie bills, banking, without it?
Edit: serious question!!

Serious answer to serious question: As a pensioner, I have no problem at all. Bills and banking needs are simple and minimal. I collect them and go to the post office from time to time. I have a Kiwibank debit card which I use when I want to buy something on-line. I refuse to use Real Me or anything like that and I force the authorities to deal with me in person or via paper forms. I do use the Internet, for lots of things, but I don't rely on it. I can get by quite well without it for my day to day needs. I also don't have a smart phone. The only thing I would miss is the ability to stream content from around the world, but I used to really enjoy reading books and could easily pick that up again if I had to.

Thanks.

So for a power bill for example, they send it in the mail and you pay it how? At the bank?
And how do you track your balance?

We're retiring soon, I genuinely want to know as I do everything online right now (Get bills via email and pay with online banking.) but may have to cut back the internet and ditch the cell phones in future.

Aredwood

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#1924426 24-Dec-2017 09:49

Not all power companies send out paper bills. Flick Electric is an example of a power company that doesn't. Also internet access means that you can use powerswitch.co.nz and other bill comparison services.

Rikkitic

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#1924447 24-Dec-2017 10:21

JayADee:

So for a power bill for example, they send it in the mail and you pay it how? At the bank?
And how do you track your balance?

We're retiring soon, I genuinely want to know as I do everything online right now (Get bills via email and pay with online banking.) but may have to cut back the internet and ditch the cell phones in future.

Our power company (contact Energy) has an arrangement with Kiwibank so bills can just be paid at the post office. We still actually use cheques for this and other payments. We get paper bank statements once a month but our finances are very simple so it is easy to keep track in-between. I pay cash for most things anyway. Maybe things will change in the future but this works well for us now and we see no need to change. We also don't have smart phones and we don't want them.

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