DIGITAL DIVIDE: THE WAY OUT
Source: Heartmenders Magazine
By Sonny Oboson
Well before the late 20th century, digital divide referred chiefly to the division between those with and without telephone access; after the late 1990s, the term began to be used mainly to describe the split between those with and without Internet access, particularly broadband.
The digital divide typically exists between those in cities and those in rural areas; between the educated and the uneducated; between socioeconomic groups; and, globally, between the more and less industrially developed nations. Even among populations with some access to technology, the digital divide can be evident in the form of lower-performance computers, lower-speed wireless connections, lower-priced connections such as dial-up, and limited access to subscription-based content.
The reality of a separate access marketplace is problematic because of the rise of services such as video on demand, video conferencing and virtual classrooms, which require access to high-speed, high-quality connections that those on the less-served side of the digital divide cannot access and/or afford. And while adoption of smartphones is growing, even among lower-income and minority groups, the rising costs of data plans and the difficulty of performing tasks and transactions on smartphones continue to inhibit the closing of the gap.
According to recent studies and reports, the digital divide is still very much a reality today. A June 2013 U.S. White House broadband report, for example, showed that only 71% of American homes have adopted broadband, a figure lower than in other countries with a comparable gross domestic product.
Proponents for closing the digital divide include those who argue it would improve literacy, democracy, social mobility, economic equality and economic growth.
Broadly speaking, the difference is not necessarily determined by the access to the Internet, but by access to ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) and to Media that the different segments of society can use. With regards to the Internet, the access is only one aspect, other factors such as the quality of connection and related services should be considered. Today the most discussed issue is the availability of the access at an affordable cost and quality.
The problem is often discussed in an international context, indicating certain countries are far more equipped than other developing countries to exploit the benefits from the rapidly expanding Internet. Here is the latest State of the Internet Report from Akamai, showing average and maximum connection speeds, Internet Penetration and Broadband adaptation, Mobile usage, as well as trends in this data over time. The digital divide is not indeed a clear single gap which divides a society into two groups. Researchers report that disadvantages can take such forms as lower-performance computers, lower-quality or high price connections (i.e. narrowband or dial-up connection), the difficulty of obtaining technical assistance, and lower access to subscription-based contents.
Photo credit: SlideShare
Bridging the Gap
The idea that some information and communication technologies are vital to quality civic life is not new. Some suggest that the Internet and other ICTs are somehow transforming society, improving our mutual understanding, eliminating power differentials, realizing a truly free and democratic world society, and other benefits.
In many countries, access to the telephone system is considered such a vital element that governments implement various policies to offer affordable telephone service. Unfortunately, some countries lack sufficient telephone lines.
Literacy is arguably another such element, although it is not related to any new technologies or latest technological devices. It is a very widely shared view in many societies that being literate is essential to one's career, to self-guided learning, to political participation, and to Internet usage.
There are a variety of arguments regarding why closing the digital divide is important. The major arguments are the following:
1. Economic equality
Some think that the access to the Internet is a basic component of civil life that some developed countries aim to guarantee for their citizens. The telephone is often considered important for security reasons. Health, criminal, and other types of emergencies might indeed be handled better if the person in trouble has an access to the telephone. Another important fact seems to be that much vital information for people's career, civic life; safety, etc. are increasingly provided via the Internet. Even social welfare services are sometimes administered and offered electronically.
2. Social mobility
Some believe that computer and computer networks play an increasingly important role in their learning and career so that education should include that of computing and use of the Internet. Without such offerings, the existing digital divide works unfairly to the children in the lower socioeconomic status. In order to provide equal opportunities, governments might offer some form of support.
3. Democracy
Some think that the use of the Internet would lead to a healthier democracy in one way or another. Among the most ambitious visions are those of increased public participation in elections and decision-making processes.
4. Economic growth
Some think that the development of information infrastructure and active use of it would be a shortcut to economic growth for less developed nations. Information technologies, in general, tend to be associated with productivity improvements. The exploitation of the latest technologies may give industries of certain countries a competitive advantage.
Building on the premise that any effective solution must be decentralized, allowing the local communities in developing nations to generate their own content, one scholar has posited that social media—like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter—may be useful tools in closing the divide. As Amir Hatem Ali suggests, “the popularity and generative nature of social media empower individuals to combat some of the main obstacles to bridging the digital divide.” Facebook’s statistics reinforce this claim. According to Facebook, more than seventy-five percent of its users reside outside of the US.
Moreover, more than seventy languages are presented on its website. The reasons for the high number of international users are due to mainly the qualities of Facebook and other social media. Amongst them, are its ability to offer a means of interacting with others, user-friendly features; and the fact that most sites are available at no cost. The problem with social media, however, is that it can be accessible, provided that there is physical access. Nevertheless, with its ability to encourage digital inclusion, social media can be used as a tool to bridge the global digital divide.
Some cities in the world have started programs to bridge the digital divide for their residents, school children, students, parents and the elderly. One such program, founded in 1996, was sponsored by the city of Boston and called the Boston Digital Bridge Foundation. It especially concentrates on school children and their parents, helping to make both equally and similarly knowledgeable about computers, using application programs, and navigating the Internet.
Note that the images in this article are different from how it was originally published in Heartmenders Magazine. Opening image credit: itgsopedia - Wikispaces
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