Although the computer and the Internet have become an integral part of most people’s lives that we’re familiar with, many people around the world are just now experiencing the introduction – and the related anxiety - many of us experienced a decade ago. Furthermore, technology is changing at speeds that make most of our heads spin. This presents a daunting challenge to remain properly educated and up-to-speed with the changes. This is even more true for the less privileged societies across the world. This concept has led to discussion of the "digital divide" which is shifting like a huge canyon being rapidly formed by the force of the constantly growing stream of new technology. The term "the digital divide" itself refers to the growing distance between the "haves" and "have-nots" of the Internet and technology, and the benefits that accompany it.
When first introduced, the "digital divide" referred to the people who have access to computers and who do not. In many cases, this is still the problem – but even in privileged countries such as the US it has also shifted to the people who have the Internet and now to those that have broadband access. I’m a big fan of the common saying "Knowledge is Power"- and I believe with the growing trend of globalisation, that it is necessary to make sure that all nations are able to sustain themselves. Within any government, I think it is important to focus on society as a whole. I do not believe that the people who are prosperous have always worked for it and therefore deserve it. Rather, as a society we will always function better when all people have equal chances and resources without leaving the weakest behind. In other words, the guy that started the race healthy and 20 minutes earlier isn’t necessarily faster than the last guy who was ill and having to battle hurdles along the way.
We can achieve better business and a better society if everyone has a chance to be educated. On a broader scale beyond business, it’s important we can all be on the same page. Many disputes and disagreements are a result of assumptions everyone thinks like we do. But understanding that they do not, and why, can often diffuse any friction – and information leads to knowledge that will build that understanding.
Because a smart person would never take just my word on the issue, here are some links to help educate yourself on the digital divide, as well as some other thoughts on this topic:
http://www.wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/Digital_Divide
This site is very text dense, and you'll have to wade through some things. It also appears to be written a few years ago, so of course some minor things have changed. On the other hand, it is heavily sourced and therefore more informational and in-depth than my descriptions.
For a more case-study approach, especially a look at the problems, try here:
http://student.plattsburgh.edu/beld2195/project.ppt
It's a simple PowerPoint drafted by a student discussing the problem. I'm sure this was also for a class, and so it's only slightly more detailed than my description. It gives a great number of links, however, and presents the topic in a case study style prose.
Finally, to see a plethora of people's outlook and discussion on the topic try here:
http://slashdot.org/askslashdot/00/03/05/2316208.shtml
This is a great forum, and this site focuses on many technological things beyond the digital divide - in fact it usually focuses on more technical issues such as hardware, new software, etc. Additionally, these posts are quite old - from 2000. However, who better to comment on technology divides than those most familiar with it, and I find the posts to still be very relevant.
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2 comments:
I share your interest in the issue of digital divide, particularly at the international level. The international digital divide is complex and far reaching, in its origin and scope, and in measures to address solutions.
I think one very important point about the digital divide that gets overlooked is that the digital divide is not just about giving poor and disadvantaged people in developing countries access to computers and the Internet. It also is about addressing and using information and communication technology in ways that will lead to effective design and implementation of development initiatives and result in more sustainable outcomes in reducing poverty and disadvantage. The World Congress on Communication for Development as a part of the larger World Congress on Communication for Development outlines some basic ideas on how communication for development is participation and ownership by communities and individuals most affected by poverty and other development issues.
As DigitalDivide.com points out, “closing the digital divide is fundamentally about empowerment, that is, it is about using new technologies to empower the poor just as they now empower the rich.” Again, the digital divide is as much a question of Internet technology and hardware as it is about using ICT-enabled solutions to help solve basic human problems such of economic and social development. This includes more basic ICT applications, such as access to broadcast media for receiving information and digital telephone facilities for basic communication.
According to DivitalDivide.com, “. . . closing the Digital Divide must necessarily involve empowering the poor by closing studying their circumstances and then finding ways to shift the context that reinforces their poverty.” The digital divide includes issues of access to and knowing how to use the basic tools of the current and emerging information environment.
In my view, an important part of closing the digital divide is taking a broad look at how ICT can be used in development. There are a number of sources looking at ICT and development, such as DigitalDivide.com, along with other independent collaboration efforts, such as dgCommunities, the ICT DevLibrary, and the International Institute for Communication and Development.
The international development organizations have set up infoDev as a coordinating body of international development agencies working for ICT and development. Most government-to-government assistance programs have an ICT element as well.
Anyway, that’s my view. The digital divide is much more than computer and the Internet. It’s about helping people communicate more effectively, in ways that serve their needs, and ways appropriate to their circumstances.
[Apologies for the double post. The first did not show links -- in this second post, links are spelled out.]
I share your interest in the issue of digital divide, particularly at the international level. The international digital divide is complex and far reaching, in its origin and scope, and in measures to address solutions.
I think one very important point about the digital divide that gets overlooked is that the digital divide is not just about giving poor and disadvantaged people in developing countries access to computers and the Internet. It also is about addressing and using information and communication technology in ways that will lead to effective design and implementation of development initiatives and result in more sustainable outcomes in reducing poverty and disadvantage. The World Congress on Communication for Development http://www.devcomm.org/devcomm/OutcomesTheRomeConsensus/tabid/250/Default.aspx?macroId=15µId=1501 as a part of the larger World Congress on Communication for Development http://www.devcomm.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx?macroId=1 outlines some basic ideas on how communication for development is participation and ownership by communities and individuals most affected by poverty and other development issues.
As DigitalDivide.com http://www.digitaldivide.org/dd/index.html points out, “closing the digital divide is fundamentally about empowerment, that is, it is about using new technologies to empower the poor just as they now empower the rich.” Again, the digital divide is as much a question of Internet technology and hardware as it is about using ICT-enabled solutions to help solve basic human problems such of economic and social development. This includes more basic ICT applications, such as access to broadcast media for receiving information and digital telephone facilities for basic communication.
According to DivitalDivide.com, “. . . closing the Digital Divide must necessarily involve empowering the poor by closing studying their circumstances and then finding ways to shift the context that reinforces their poverty.” The digital divide includes issues of access to and knowing how to use the basic tools of the current and emerging information environment.
In my view, an important part of closing the digital divide is taking a broad look at how ICT can be used in development. There are a number of sources looking at ICT and development, such as DigitalDivide.com, along with other independent collaboration efforts, such as dgCommunities http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict, the ICT DevLibrary http://www.ictdevlibrary.org/, and the International Institute for Communication and Development http://www.iicd.org.
The international development organizations have set up infoDev http://infodev.org/en/index.html as a coordinating body of international development agencies working for ICT and development. Most government-to-government assistance programs have an ICT element as well.
Anyway, that’s my view. The digital divide is much more than computer and the Internet. It’s about helping people communicate more effectively, in ways that serve their needs, and ways appropriate to their circumstances.
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