Bridging the Digital Divide
Bill Clark
9/8/12
All
members of our society do not have equal access to digital technology. With internet emerging as the dominant medium
for information distribution, this fact is particularly disconcerting. This gap between the technology “haves” and
“have nots” has been labeled the digital divide. This condition is most prominent regarding
access to the internet. One of the most
disturbing aspects of the situation is that the gap is influenced by demographics.
Geography,
race and economics are all factors.
Citizens living in large cities are more likely to be wired than those
in rural areas. White and
Asian-Americans are more likely than African-Americans and Latinos to browse
the web. Households above the $50,000-a-year
level are more likely to have computer access than those under this economic
benchmark.
With the
internet emerging as the major distribution system for information, certain
segments of society will have decidedly less access to information. The implications of the divide touch many
arenas.
In
education, the unequal distribution of resources has been a long standing
concern. With more information available
on the internet, one could surmise that there is more for technologically
challenged schools to miss out on.
With the
majority of organizations, including providers of social services, distributing
information digitally, certain segments of society will not be reached with
valuable information. Think about the
way we renew a driver’s license, or apply for a job, or bank, or order movie tickets
or . . . well, you fill in the blank.
The result
is: “underwired equals underserved.”
The
digital divide also describes the gap between information providers and
information seekers. There have been
efforts to resolve imbalances in technology.
Computers in public libraries is one example. The U.S. governments E-Rate program mandates
a designated funding level for public schools.
Organizations such as the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation donate
millions of dollars to provide educational technology to high need educational
communities.
If there
is a social issue that deserves national attention, it is the bridging of the
digital divide. What can we do? Get involved, by becoming an advocate for
change. Support the equal distribution
of technology. There are a number of
organizations that repair and distribute older cell phones and computers. Use technology for good. The same devices used for games, chatting and
posting can be utilized for emergency communications, information distribution and
education.
Most of
all, participate in the discussion.
Working to bridge the digital divide will make more information
available to more people.
I believe that "Bridging the Digital Divide" is exactly what our society needs. As stated in the blog above, most families (typically of African-American or Latino race) usually do not have the funding for many technology driven devices such as computers and/or cell phones. I think that in our day and age that can be a very serious problem. If you don't have the necessary technology to keep up with the rest of the world, you will definitively fall behind. Jobs are now going paperless and requiring you to complete an application via Internet. If you don't have any Internet service does that make you less qualified for the job? Perhaps not, but companies are looking for people who are actually evolving with time and technology. I think what most people SHOULD do is, donate all of their old computer/telephones to a company that actually repairs them. Then the company should sell the items at reasonable prices. That way everyone can at least have a chance to get ahead.
ReplyDelete-Mr. Racardo D. Davis
With the world going ditigal today. Bridging the digial divide is a good idea but, some people (i.e older folks round the age of 50) think that digital media is a waste of time. Mainly beacuse most people in rural areas that haven't had computer access or not computer literate. so when they hear things like facebook, twitter, and even other sites such google and yahoo, they still doesn't have a clue to what you are talking about. If more people would invest in computers then more people can get the digal media experience
ReplyDelete"Bridging The Digital Divide" is something that should and will be done. I feel like it is something that will just take time. People my age catch on to the newer things in technology quickly because that's what we are used to. Older people are used to things the old fashioned way so it will take more time for them to grasp on to whats hip. As far as those of certain ethnicities and those is rural areas, they are coming up when it comes to technology as well. More public computers are being offered to those who cannot afford internet access. It's just that people don't take the opportunity to use the resources that they are given. The same thing with cell phones. Most cell phones are android powered so they are able to connect to the internet through wifi if you cannot afford an expensive data plan. Most people are walking around with iPhones and Macbooks and they have no idea how to open a word document. I personally feel like everyone can control their own access to technology because enough is offered if you look for opportunities that are right in front of you.
ReplyDeleteIn my high school I feel the district did a great job of "bridging the digital divide". Starting in 2004 all incoming freshman received a new laptop, they were able to keep them until the end of the school year. The laptops were then redistributed to them the following year. Prior to this program through the district many students did not have access to a computer outside of school or the public library. It helped me tremendously and I was able to take notes in class, apply for jobs, and do my assignments both in and out of school. The students were expected to bring the laptop the school daily and do work their work on them. A few weeks prior to graduation each senior was given the option to purchase their laptop for 50 dollars. 50 dollars in relatively cheap especially considering everything was up to date and the laptops were only 3-4 years old. Many students took advantage of the opportunity which saved their parents a lot of money as they prepared for college. I also feel that those fortunate with the latest technology should donate old electronics to companies that can restore them and redistribute them to those in need. In today's society it is essential to own a cell phone especially if you're on the road alone and something happens. Pay phone have become obsolete and many gas stations have removed them. Many pay as you go companies are trying to lessen the amount of money each month people have to shelf out. If we all do our part in our community be helping those less fortunate and without technology we will be able to close the digital dive a little at a time.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, when I was first introduced into the topic of the "Digital Divide" I did not completely understand exactly what the problem was concerning those who could did not have access to digital technology. As stated in the article “computers are being placed in several public libraries and the government now mandates a designated funding level for public schools”, I believed those were the solutions,and not just progression. Learning more about this topic and reading this article, has expanded my knowledge of "The Digital Divide" and why it must be divided. There are people suffering and having hardships accessing the internet; while there are many others that are fortunate to own many digital items such as cellular device, computer, etc. I strongly believe that if there is enough attention brought to this issue, many will realize that it is a problem and want to help be more of the solution.
ReplyDeleteThe "Bridiging Digital Divide" is a big concern in society that is not really reconginize. I do believe that it is a good idea. I know in my hometown, the library allows you to check-out laptops and iPads which is a good idea. It gives the unfortunate access to todays technology. I think that grade-school and colleges should distribute laptops to students who are less fortunate, although there are some high schools and colleges that allows it. Because of where society is going with technology, getting jobs, ordering clothes, food, etc, all persons should have access to the Internet no matter what their circumstances are. The government should really consider "Bridging Digital Divide".
ReplyDeleteI feel that this digital divide is something that can be fixed by communities. The government can do only but so much. I feel that communities should come together and find grants and other ways to support a place for people to go to access the internet. Also, I feel as though laptops should be included in tutition cost for colleges. Not every student would need one, but if thy do they should be provided by. There are alot of things that can be said that should be done, but who is going to actually get up and do it?
ReplyDeleteHistorically, there has always been a societal gap (the rich and poor). There are major differences in healthcare, education , etc. The digital divide stems from a ton of unresolved issues. Poverty is one of the issues. Effective solutions such as the aid of organizations and influential leaders are likely already implemented. Although there will never be "enough wealth to spread" so to speak. At some point the individuals who suffer from the digital divide will have to take personal accountability for their lack of advancement within society and be proactive in taking the proper steps in order to prevent them from being essentially, left by the wayside. Though this is a world wide issue, the American government is obviously aware of the digital divide amongst its citizens yet are swarmed with more urgent matters. Nonetheless, hopefully policies or legislature are in the developmental stages and will one day lessen the gap and give those who are less fortunate peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteThe "Digital Divide" has been a problem for a while now, and with technology progressing it continues to become a larger gap. High schools, such as my own, ARE receiving newer computers and smart boards to counter act this problem. However this will never completely solve the problem. Most of the time when online at school it is to complete an assignment, which is still beneficial. However the best informational browsing is done from the comforts of home, or on a portable device such as a tablet or smart phone. America can't financial handle providing all underprivileged persons with a computer or tablet so i really don't see an end to the divide. But ask yourself this, haven't they all way tried to keep us in the dark?
ReplyDeleteI honestly believe that the "digital divide" is another way to keep the underprivileged people in there "place". Someone once said the best way to hide information from the black community is to put it in a book. Now you can put it on the internet and they still wont get to it. The underprivileged communities are constantly the communities without technology. The schools, the community centers, the households, etc. Those students suffer the most because they're not fully informed. They don't have access to the same things to help them succeed. I believe that as a school community we can start to make a difference. Starting with something as simple as providing old computers to underprivileged communities and students will give them a start. We then need to teach them how to use the resources properly and how they can advance using the resources they have. The "digital divide" can be closed if we are willing to work together as a community to make the difference.
ReplyDeleteHere is a counter article that says there is no digital divide!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.technologyreview.com/view/428043/there-is-no-digital-divide/
What do you all think?
I believe " Bridging the Digial Divide" woul do our society jusice, especially fo those who are incapable of buying their own technology. Today in this world we live in we are going paperless, meaning lots of things are converting to the computer and internet; technology to be exact. Being that not everyone is as fortunate as the next it makes life harder for some. back packing off of what Ricardo had said, if our society all comes together to make an effort to help one another out and recycle our old laptops and cell phones and things of that nature, and sell them to the public for an affordable price then we would could evenually decrease the amount of people in our society that do not have the technology needed to basically survive in our world today.
ReplyDelete"Bridging the Digital Divide" is an excellent resource that many people under privileged people could use. But honestly the ones who may not care or get use to the new technology are the elder people. It would be more of a task for them to grasp.Also, many people will stop reading books and would run to the internet for answers. The fact of having a library would not even be for checking out books but for getting on the computer surfing the web for answers.So there are pros and cons for "Bridging the Digital Divide".
ReplyDeleteAs a young mother I feel it is very important to begin bridging the digital divide in kindergarten classrooms. This will allow children to have the desire to want to access information through different technological devices. In observing my 11-month son and conducting research on children for my senior project, I have noticed that younger children pick up on different things quickly than older children, teens, and adults. It is imperative that we start with the young children so they will have the desire to fight to bridge the digital divide.
ReplyDeleteThis is Brittany Rollins
Delete