Second Life, First Connection

SCENE 01

Access changes what we can see.

Roughly a quarter of the world was offline in 2025. Those people still have expertise and agency. Online content is an incomplete picture of humanity.

Try the participation filter below the dots. Notice why internet use is not the same as visibility in public debate.

A WORLD OF 100 PEOPLEITU · 2025

74 online26 offline

An internet user is not necessarily an active social-media participant. An offline person is not without a voice.

Source: ITU, Facts and Figures 2025 ↗

SCENE 02

Find the barrier before the solution.

Coverage is about a usable network reaching people. Usage also depends on affordability, skills, language, power and trust. Choose an intervention for each fictional community.

01A village has no usable mobile broadband coverage. Where do you start?

Donate 200 phonesImprove network and dependable power accessOffer digital literacy training only

02A town has reliable 4G, but devices and data are expensive. What helps most?

Build more towersMake suitable devices and ongoing data affordableRecycle all working phones

03A community has coverage and devices, but little local-language support. What comes next?

Ship more phonesSupport locally relevant training and contentBuild another tower

SCENE 03

Repair first. Reuse with care.

Assess safe repair before replacement. A phone needs more than a working screen to make a suitable donation: security, account access and network compatibility matter too.

Powers on and chargesBattery conditionStill receives security updatesCarrier unlocked and accounts removedCompatible with the recipient’s local cellular network

YOUR NEXT STEP · ADVISORY ONLY

A few checks before a second life

Choose an answer for each check. This tool offers guidance, not certification.

Find repair, donation & recycling options →

SCENE 04

The ethical choice depends on context.

Compare a Canadian device with an appropriate local alternative. Change the costs, lifespan and service availability. Then consider whose needs and end-of-life responsibilities the decision serves.

Illustrative values in Canadian dollars. Include shipping, testing, repairs and duties in delivered cost. This is not an environmental or legal assessment.

Reuse a Canadian phoneDelivered unit cost (CAD)Remaining supported life (years)Access to local repair / service$60.00 / supported year

Resolve the local service gap before choosing this option.

Source a phone locallyDelivered unit cost (CAD)Remaining supported life (years)Access to local repair / service$60.00 / supported year

Resolve the local service gap before choosing this option.

Before either option goes aheadRecipients have chosen a device that meets their needsLocal repair and parts are availableA local end-of-life pathway is documentedOngoing data and power are affordable

A lower cost per year is only one input. Never export untested or unusable devices as donations. Check applicable Canadian and destination-country rules with qualified partners.

PUT IT TOGETHER

Five questions. Useful perspective.

Explanations appear immediately. You can change answers or start again.

GO DEEPER · OPTIONAL PAID LEARNING

Keep your curiosity in use.

The free learning experience ends here. These optional courses are hosted externally on Ecodemy; purchase or membership may be required. Access terms are set by Ecodemy.

ECODEMY COURSE / 01

E-Waste

Explore e-waste, right to repair, and the roles of manufacturers, governments and consumers.

Take the E-Waste course ↗External Ecodemy course · potentially paid

ECODEMY COURSE / 02

Planned Obsolescence

Look more closely at product lifespans, replacement cycles and sustainability.

Explore Planned Obsolescence ↗External Ecodemy course · potentially paid

Four scenes.A different perspective.