IV. Digital Inclusion 22. States should create conditions for digital inclusion. Digital inclusion, meaning that everyone, including persons belonging to minorities, has access to, and the use of, information and communication technologies, is a prerequisite for participation in a modern society, economy and public life. The rapid development of digital communications technology has the potential to contribute to economic growth, encourage social, economic and political participation, and to facilitate societal integration and social cohesion.128 These benefits will only be achieved if digital inclusion is prioritized; that is, striving to ensure that everyone, including persons belonging to minorities, has full access to, and the use of, information and communications technologies.129 Accordingly, digital inclusion should be a core component of a comprehensive integration strategy. While digital technology can bring about positive change, it can also exacerbate existing social and economic divisions within society between those who have access to, and can benefit from, new digital technologies and those who do not. The term “digital divide” is used to refer to differences in access to, and the use of, information and communication technologies and online digital services.130 There are many digital divides in society, which can also affect persons belonging to national minorities.131 Digital divides can vary according to factors such as geography, gender, age, education, income and skill level, and, in the case of businesses, firm size.132 Intersectional vulnerabilities compound digital divides; for example, in the case of the elderly, minority women and youth living in economically deprived rural areas.133 Digital inclusion, like the broader process of integration to which it contributes, requires adjustments to societal structures and active engagement both by the 128 United Nations, Report of the Secretary General, Roadmap for Digital Cooperation: Implementation of the Recommendations of the High-level Panel on Digital Co-operation (2020) 129 Milan 2018, OSCE Ministerial Council, “Declaration on the Digital Economy as a Driver for Promoting Co-operation, Security and Growth”. 130 OECD, “Bridging Connectivity Divides”, OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Digital Economy Papers, p. 5. July 2021, 131 Tallinn Guidelines, II. Media Environment, Guidelines 7 and 8, and their Explanatory Notes. 132 OECD, “Bridging Connectivity Divides”, p. 5. 133 Tallinn Guidelines, Guideline 9. 50 Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life