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Technology at home and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic

The current lockdown has made families much more dependent on technology at home for school and work, and also for leisure and social activities. Although 90% of households in the Valencian Community have internet access, 32.8% of the population between the ages of 16 and 74 are considered to have low digital skills. While most people have the skills they need for searching and communication, much more serious limitations are found when it comes to problem solving, and especially managing software. Many people do not have the necessary skills to deal with the enforced use of computer programs to work online from home, shop, study and do administrative paperwork. Valencian families must leverage the increased awareness of the importance of having the right digital devices, but above all, the digital skills they need in the present circumstances to improve on both fronts. In addition, social measures should be taken to support low-income families who lack the necessary technologies to ensure all children have equal access to learning, thereby preventing a digital divide that would otherwise further exacerbate existing socio-economic inequalities.