Numerous individuals face the threat of being digitally excluded.
Paris is planning to require visitors and residents to show a QR code on their phones to enter certain parts of the city for the upcoming Olympic Games. This has raised concerns about the digital divide, as not everyone has a smartphone or the ability to use it, according to The metro.
This is not a new problem. During the pandemic, QR codes have been used for things like checking vaccination status and accessing restaurant menus. This left some people unable to participate in these activities.
The trend of using QR codes and apps continues. Many restaurants now use QR codes for menus and ordering, and parking lots are moving to cashless payment systems that require QR codes or apps.
This can be a problem for people who don’t have smartphones or who aren’t comfortable using them. For example, a lady, Linda Raddon, said The metro that her father cannot order his own repeat prescriptions online because the service is now digital. He also relies on Linda to manage his banking services because many local bank branches have closed.
“Luckily, my dad has a blue badge, so he can usually park for free without registering,” says Linda, a coach who helps caregivers of aging parents create and enjoy their own happier lives,” she said. “But he doesn’t have a smartphone and would have difficulty using a parking machine that requires registration and payment details. I can see how this would undermine people’s independence – even if you are well enough to drive and go out alone, you can’t because of technology.”
As society becomes increasingly dependent on technology, it’s important to consider how it can exclude people who can’t keep up.
This story originally appeared on Ndtv.com read the full story
