The Intersection of the Right to Repair and Tech Education
When devices like your smartphone or tablet stop working, it’s so frustrating. Even more frustrating is the fact that there’s rarely anything you can do except replace the device with a new one. Environmentally conscious people know that this constant consumption of new hardware is bad for the planet — plus it’s horrendously expensive.
Right to repair highlights another way, one that’s intrinsically linked to the benefits of tech education for kids.
What is Right-to-Repair?
The right-to-repair movement is spreading across several social enterprises and grassroots organizations. This includes the major EU Right to Repair campaign. Groups of activists lobby technology companies to create devices that last longer and can be repaired as needed. Campaigners may also share information on how to repair devices.
Right to repair addresses several socioeconomic factors. This includes reducing the overall cost of access to technology. It also covers limiting the volume of natural resources that tech companies consume as they produce exponentially more devices.
The right-to-repair movement helps drive legislation that compels technology providers to adjust manufacturing techniques. For example, in late 2022, the EU agreed to a directive that will see substantial changes in the manufacture and disposal of batteries. This includes making them more sustainable and easier to replace. The new legislation is not yet live, but should make a huge difference in how many devices can be re-used with new batteries in place.
Challenges for Right to Repair
In order for socially- or eco-conscious folks to fix devices, these devices must be designed with the possibility of repair in mind. Sadly, many devices are produced in such a way that repair by enthusiastic amateurs or even skilled professionals is almost impossible. Part pairing is one technique that manufacturers use specifically to control who can repair hardware. It means that if repairers use spare parts from non-specific manufacturers, even if technically identical, the functionality of the repaired device could be limited.
There’s also limited information available on how to repair many devices. Ultimately, many tech companies want devices to fail and be unrepairable. It provides them with continuous income. For some CEOs, this outweighs the socio-environmental benefits of embracing right-to-repair.
Tech Education and Right-to-Repair
Another barrier to the right-to-repair movement is that many people simply don’t have the relevant skills. Would you know how to safely crack open your smartphone and start repairing it? If tech education aligns with the right-to-repair movement, you could learn how very quickly. Here are some other ways tech education intersects with the right-to-repair movement.
Increased focus on hands-on learning
Early tech education encourages young people to learn by doing. Tech becomes exciting, hands-on projects, rather than abstract concepts learnt about in books or via social media. Learning to repair everyday devices develops problem-solving skills that can be transferred to any aspect of education or training.
Emphasis on sustainability
50 million tons of electronic waste is produced every year. Tech education, including learning to build and repair physical hardware, could reduce this drastically. Restart is one project aimed at tackling the “throwaway, consumerist model”, transforming the relationship people have with electronics. They hold “parties” where attendees teach each other to repair household items and devices, ultimately reducing the drain on our dwindling natural resources.
Opportunities for innovation
The right-to-repair movement goes beyond fixing broken devices. Getting hands-on with tech encourages innovation and creativity right across the tech industry. There’s a real window of opportunity for startups and entrepreneurs to jump in with tech solutions that promote sustainable practices for a circular economy.
A better understanding of how devices work
Right to repair organically introduces people of all ages to tech education. It’s particularly catalysing for kids. If they can see their parents/carers proactively fixing smartphones, headphones, or even the toaster, they’ll want to learn to do it themselves. Getting started early helps them get a deeper understanding of the design and inner workings of these appliances.
Addressing the Digital Divide
One of the most critical intersections of the right-to-repair movement and tech education is the potential to address the digital divide. There is still a gulf between those who have access to technology and the opportunities to use it and learn about it, and those who do not.
Tech education should start early, offering peer-to-peer sessions that teach kids how easy it is to use tech and adapt it to their own needs. An earlier understanding of the benefits of tech and STEM education could help address the current attitudes that drive the digital divide.
As well as opportunity and education, another cause of the digital divide is, of course, funds. It’s a simple fact that not everyone can afford the latest smartphone, or even a decent laptop with an internet connection. Right-to-repair extends the lifespan of older devices. This makes them a cheaper, more accessible option for families and individuals who would otherwise have very limited access to technology.
You can sign up for more information about the EU Right to Repair campaign here.
Girls Into Coding offers peer-to-peer tech and STEM education groups engaging girls in tech projects from robotics to computing. Click here to find out more about how we encourage the girls in STEM of today to become the women in tech of tomorrow!
