Bridging the digital divide: A chat with Dr. Lisa O’Brien

From work to play, digital technology keeps us connected to life’s essentials. But there are many people all over Australia who can’t afford what are now considered must-haves in order to keep up day-to-day – phones, laptops and internet plans to power them.

During her time as CEO of the Smith Family, Lisa O’Brien saw the challenges disadvantaged Australians face due to a lack of access to digital technology and internet connectivity. This led to a partnership with Optus that would change the lives of thousands of young Australians through the Smith Family’s Learning for Life program and Optus’ Donate Your Data^TM initiative, which has now powered the potential of over 20k young people in need!

We spoke to Lisa about how leaders can continue to take strides toward bridging the digital divide so no one gets left behind.

A widening gap

“At the Smith Family, our mission has always been to support disadvantaged young Australians and their families,” explains Lisa.

“But as we saw the world of technology changing at an increasingly rapid pace, we knew that the kind of support disadvantaged young people needed also needed to change,” says Lisa.

That is to say, the skill and knowledge gap between those who do have access to technology and those who can’t afford it is getting larger. This is making it even harder for disadvantaged Australians to catch up.

For instance, it’s now near impossible to complete school, apply for jobs, work experience or scholarships and access essential services without access online. So those without access to connectivity are being left behind.

“So this is an area we knew we really needed to start ramping up,” says Lisa.

The pandemic really amplified the divide – making it obvious that many families didn’t have the tools needed to sustain remote learning in lockdown.

“Imagine if your family didn’t have more than just a phone and there was nowhere quiet and a safe space in the house to do schoolwork – remote learning simply would not be possible!”

A meeting of the minds

“We quickly learned that many of our disadvantaged families were unable to connect,” reflects Lisa.

As employment, health, education and government platforms and services increasingly moved online, a data shortage emerged as the crux of the issue.

“It was all well and good to supply families with a device, but those without data were getting left behind,” says Lisa.

In 2019, the Smith Family was asked to join Optus in launching the Donate Your Data^TM initiative, after a successful pilot in 2016.

“It was such a great partnership,” says Lisa. “With our knowledge of the needs of disadvantaged young Australians and Optus’s infrastructure and means of communicating with customers, we made the perfect team.”

 Then Kelly Bayer Rosmarin joined as Optus CEO in 2020 and gave the program a new sense of energy and purpose.

“When Kelly came on board, she really wanted to turbo charge digital inclusion initiatives and take them to the next level. She really saw the value in it.”

We are celebrating the 450k Optus customers who have donated their data thoughout the program. Every time a customer chooses to donate their data, they are powering the potential of a disadvantaged young Australian. Now over 20k young people in need have beneifited from having access to the data they need to further their education, seek employment and connect with what they love.

 “Donate your Data^TM has really shone a light on the problem of digital inclusion,” says Lisa.

“Optus customers are really stepping up their generosity. So now, even more kids now have the access and tools needed to turn up and learn.”

Making a difference into the future

As Lisa explains, access to technology isn’t everything.

“It’s not just provision of hardware and software that will help us bridge the gap, but skills and capabilities that go toward increasing digital literacy. There’s no point in just having the tools if you’re not equipped to use them. And to use them safely and securely,” Lisa points out.

Lisa also highlights the importance of keeping other segments of the community who are also at risk of being left behind at the top of our minds.

“The digital divide doesn’t just impact young people. We have to recognise the struggles of the disabled and the elderly – who may not have access to the tools they need,” urges Lisa.

According to Lisa, to get the most out of everyone’s efforts toward bridging the digital divide, there must be a united effort.

“There are lots of great initiatives aiming to address the digital divide, but there is a lack of co-ordination,” Lisa observes.

“What we need for greater impact is for the Government to help develop a Digital Inclusion Roadmap to join organisations like Optus with organisation like ours and help coordinate all our efforts so we can have greater impact together.”

Lisa remains optimistic that awareness of the need for greater digital inclusion will continue to be a focus for both policy and industry. At Optus, so do we.

Learn about how you can donate your data and power the potential of young people in need.