Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Snapshot of our internet usage - Expert reaction
Snapshot of our internet usage
- Expert reaction
14 April 2016
Online privacy concerns and
inequality in internet access are highlighted in the latest
New Zealand data from the World Internet Project.
The latest two yearly survey from the Project, released today, quizzed almost 1400 New Zealanders on their online habits and views. The survey is carried out by AUT researchers at the Institute of Culture, Discourse & Communication.
Ninety one percent of Kiwis use currently use the internet, according the report. Age and income appear to be the biggest barriers to accessing the internet.
For the first time in the eight year history of the survey, researchers asked respondents about their views on privacy. While 45 percent of survey respondents were concerned that companies and corporations were violating their privacy online, 33 percent held the same concerns about government.
A full media release and copy of the report is available here.
The Science Media Centre collected the following expert commentary. Feel free to use these quotes in your reporting. If you would like to interview a New Zealand expert, please contact the SMC (04 499 5476; smc@sciencemediacentre.co.nz). These comments are abridged; full comments available here.
Assoc Prof Gehan Gunasekara, Associate Professor in Commercial Law, University of Auckland, comments:
"At first glance such research findings are useful but individual categories often ignore the finer nuances. Individuals are often unaware what online privacy means, for instance, or are more likely to respond to a specific question such as 'should your employer be able to access your Facebook profile'. Although it is not surprising most people have not experienced a privacy violation a significant number of those who have report that it had financial implications or affected personal relationships.
"Two aspects that are of interest are that more individuals are concerned about corporations violating their privacy than governments – despite many publicised government privacy lapses such as by the IRD and WINZ – but the overall level of concern is warranted due to the ever increasing amount of personal data being collected by both. Secondly, responses that there is no privacy online do not correlate to the findings that the vast majority indicate they actively protect their privacy online and feel they can control their online privacy (the last question).
"These findings indicate people have mixed feelings about online privacy and do in fact care about it very much which has been confirmed in other New Zealand research."
Dr Niki Davis, Distinguished Professor of e-Learning, University of Canterbury comments:
"While Internet access is increasing the digital divide has widened in Aotearoa New Zealand, according to the World Internet Report for New Zealand released today. Household income, ethnicity and age are factors; living in a rural area also adds to the challenge. This is the first time that WIPNZ reports impacts for the 14% of our population who have a range of impairments, and a quarter of them have difficulty seeing.
"Children are growing up in this digital world so, while it is good to see that over 95% of parents caution their children against risky behaviour on the Internet, we should be concerned to see that 30% may do little more. Other data on the computers in early childhood also gives cause for concern. Research into children growing up in the digital world is being planned as part of the National Science Challenges.
"As Professor of e-Learning I was interested to see WIPNZ confirm that 5 out of 6 distance learners are among the 71% who use multiple devices accessing the Internet. This leads me to the conclusion that the access to online and distance education is decreasing for those in most need, and these adults and children are likely to be households with a low income. Rural areas should also be a priority for distance education.
Dr Jocelyn Williams, Head of Department, Department of Communication Studies, Unitec Institute of Technology, comments:
"A key finding for 2015 is the high internet penetration rate in NZ relative to other participating World Internet Project countries, reported as 91 percent in this report. On the face of it, this is cause for NZ to relax on the connectivity front.
"However we continue to see a definite Digital Divide in New Zealand. Other data such as in the census give us a different lens on the high penetration rate reported by the WIP. For example, the 2013 census identified 62,000 NZ households without Internet access, affecting 200,000 school aged children. While these figures are slowly dropping as a result of targeted interventions (for example, the previous census in 2006 had identified 115,000 households thus affected), they imply unequal opportunities for school children to gain digital literacy.
"This digital inequality is unevenly spread geographically, with greater numbers of households in Auckland affected, and it has a relationship with the income inequality identified in the WIP report. As household income rises there is a small but perceptible increase in the average internet usage. Higher income groups also own more devices.
"Education now requires with increasing urgency that all students bring their own devices and have internet connectivity at home. If they don’t have these things they can’t participate. These concentrations and variations have a flow-on effect for children and families without Internet access in terms of their chances in an economy needing less dependency on primary production and tourism, and more on so-called weightless exports.
"Importantly, the summary information about the NZ research presented in the International Partner Status Reports in the World Internet Report 2015 (p. 10) recognises that “digital divides have not disappeared. Access, connectivity, ability, cost, and just keeping pace with the many new devices have created new divides among various social groupings, which need to be tracked, understood, and addressed”. This under-recognised issue needs a whole other research response."
Science Media Centre NZ
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand's only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
Gallagher Security: Release Of New Command Centre Unlocks New Era Of Security Tech
Fix & Fogg: NASA Hand-picks Kiwi Nut Butter Brand To Travel To Space In NZ First
Citizens of the Sea: Sailors To Revolutionise Our Understanding Of Pacific Biodiversity
Netsafe: Making A Splash With Online Safety: Netsafe Launches New Flagship Programme For Kids
NZGBC: Flood Resilience PhD Student Widi Auliagisni Named Future Thinker Of The Year 2024
Business Canterbury: European Free Trade Agreement A Game-changer For Canterbury
