Those who live in a digital exclusion cannot access information in the same way as everyone else.
It is also much more difficult to participate in democracy through, for example, municipal citizens' proposals.
In Luleå municipality, a citizen proposal must receive 77 votes within 3 months to be processed - if you do not have access to the internet, it is not possible to vote as it is done via the municipality's website.
- Unfortunately that's not possible.
We are reviewing new ways of handling this, it is a problem, says Sofia Riström, head of the office at Luleå municipality.
Great interest in study circles
SPF Seniorerna Åkerbäret in Luleå wants to lift the elderly out of digital exclusion and has therefore in recent months started several study circles, including training in how to use smart phones.
The interest has been great.
Around 60 people signed up immediately when the first circle was started.
A large proportion of those who signed up were 85-90 years old.
- To think that year-old people are not interested in technology development or want to be part of the public debate is completely wrong, says Barbro Lundgren at SPF Seniorerna Åkerbäret.
No wifi in nursing homes
At Luleå municipality's care homes, it has been difficult to use modern technology even if there has been interest, because there has simply been no wifi.
Last year, the social administration received a budget framework from the municipal council to expand wifi, but the lack of components put a stop to it.
According to Ida Johansson, department manager at Luleå municipality, the work is now in full swing.
- It will take place in all nursing homes, in all home care groups, in all supported housing and in all our activities.