Issues Concerning the Digital Divide
Introduction
Just exactly what is “Digital Divide?” The digital divide refers to the fact that certain parts of the population have significantly better opportunities to benefit from the new economy than other parts of the population. When we discuss the usage of “computing devices”, the internet and the World Wide Web, we do not think about the individuals who lack any of these devices technology has provided the majority of population for everyday use. There is a considerable gap in the number of individuals able to access the internet and gather information, pay bills, socialize, conduct banking needs, and purchases. These are basic functions people use every day that others cannot.
In this report we will discover information that needs to be taken seriously if we are to render the gap of the “Digital Divide”. The fact that the information age is at it’s all time fastest in revolution terms is quite alarming. This report will show social, educational, and economical aspects concerning the digital divide. Technology has the means and the governments and local communities have access to provide all individuals with Information and communication technologies (ICT’s). Proficiency is not worthy here as we need to accomplish solutions that assist in diminishing the gap on the digital divide, providing policy initiatives in reducing structural inequalities.
Economy
Economy resources of our country play a major role in the number of individuals that are able to cross the digital divide. Those individuals who bring in less than $75,000.00 a year are less likely to engage in much social activity via cell phone or internet. (Murphy S. 2010). Those earning $75,000.00 a year and more have more prob...
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...de the Three Stages. The economics of Digital Divide
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People spend more time staring at their phone than they do at each other. ANALYSIS Chris Morris’s “Is technology killing the human touch?” The purpose of this article is to inform that people spend more time on social networks than with family and friends. The author gives an example of how technology changes our behavior “that can impact communication, relationships and our day-to-day interactions with others” (Morris).
In his essay Mobile Phones, Digital Media and America’s Learning Divide, Professor S. Craig Watkins discusses the different ways that digital media affects the learning divide between middle and low-class students and also students of different races, ethnicities and cultures. Watkins’ purpose in writing this essay is to show how mobile phones are closing the learning divide as well as the digital divide. He uses facts and research that he has gathered as a member of the MacArthur Foundation’s research network on Connected Learning to back up his statements and improve his credibility as an author.
The phrase “digital divide” illustrates the fact that the world can be divide into people who do and people who do not have access to and/or the capability to use modern-day information technology, such as the telephone and the Internet. For instance, “78.6 percent of North America’s residents were Internet users, but only 13.5 percent of Africa’s population had this capability.” (Volti 2014). There have been attempts to close this opening of the digital divide by bringing reasonably priced mobile phones to these people and countries with limited access. For example, “in Africa are even able to use their phones as mobile banks that allows them to store money, transfer funds, and pay bills.” (Volti 2014).
Americans today tend to believe that social media has benefited them to connect with others quickly. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) use social networking sites, up from 7% when Pew Research Center began systematically tracking social media usage in 2005 (Perrin). Technology has contributed many benefits for our society to enjoy and one of this is social media. Social Media refers to an online application such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, or Pinterest that people enjoy to share photos or videos. These applications can be accessed through computers, laptops, IPads, tablets, and smartphones. Today nearly two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone, and 19% of Americans rely to some degree on a smartphone for accessing
After much thought and research, the digital divide is a massive issue not just in Detroit, but across the country and even the globe. It is a problem we may never overcome, but if we all come together and deal with this issue as one, we can see this divide shrink more and more in the future. Detroit is one of the biggest cities most affected by the digital divide. These facts may explain why Detroit has the highest poverty rates in America because internet access has become just as important as any other utility such as water and power. In today’s society, access to the internet is required to accomplish just about anything, whether it is paperwork or educational purposes such as school. Unfortunately, only 62% of Detroit residents have access
As this critical juncture begins to take place, there has been much debate between scholars as to whether we should be enthusiastic or wary of these new changes. In Digital Disconnect and in his lectures, McChesney observes both views in an attempt to advance the discussion. On one side, the celebrants are embracing the Internet as a medium that will change society for the better. In Digital Disconnect, McChesney says, “In sum, the celebrants reaffirm one of the most important original arguments from the 1990s, that the Internet will be a force for democracy and good worldwide, ending monopolies of information and centralized control over communication” (McChesney 8). In my opinion, this celebrant view should only be regarded as a best-case scenario because of the unexpected obstacles for society that can...
The ability for people to surround themselves with the familiarity of their comfort place by using their technology is appealing because it rarely provides the user with something unexpected or unfamiliar. By constantly being cut off from personal interactions and new experiences because of a technological device. A generation with substandard social abilities is being groomed. If we do not have to face reality by experiencing new things, making personal relationships, and problem solving, then we will never be able to function as Humans. Technology hinders personal communication, which negatively impacts our lives. Although “our culture heralds the Internet as a technological wonder, there are suggestions that Internet use has a negative influence on individuals and their social skills,” (article 1) Data shows that those who use the Internet frequently spend over 100 minutes less time with...
The Internet will help to increase access to education and good jobs (DiMaggio & Hargittai, 2001). This expansion will create new spaces for political discussion and in return will provide citizens with direct access to government (2001). Overall, access to information, communication, and technologies has been increasing at a swift rate (Sevron & Nelson, 2001). However, specific types of households are gaining access while the others are not (2001). Low-income and minorities groups, are among the groups that are being left behind, especially when they reside in inner cities
What people don’t realize is that this making their brains less useful and the tech companies richer. People never turn off their phones because they are always connected. Because of the Internet and the devices allowing us to use the Internet, the world is easily accessible right under our finger tips (Bradley, 2009). Therefore, people become desensitized to the world around them. Erica Bradley’s article “Technology Is Making Us Lazy”, declares that Americans have no reason to get out and socialize. Because of all the social networks and the capability to communicate online, Americans lack the ability to communicate face-to-face (Bradley, 2009). For example, many people using social networks often create a new image of themselves to hide behind because of their
Today's world revolves around the storing, organization, and communication of information. While the world today may seem new and unique, this digital world arose out of a combination of many smaller steps that varied from innovations like a new discovery in science or a new philosophical outlook. In their writings Lev Manovich, a professor of New Media at San Diego University, and Dr. Simon Cook, an Economics professor at Duke University, have developed of a history of what lead to the development of the visual world. Manovich claims that the digital revolution came in a three-step process. The first took place in the time period between 1870 and 1920. Manovich believes that during this time period, called the late Victorian, a change occurred in the cultural attitude toward vision. This change was seen in the development of various forms of visual reasoning by scholars like Galton, Venn, and Einstein. The next step occurred after World War II. The world had seen large advances in technology and industry. Because of this change, the worker began to do less physical labor and a shift in focus from developing physical efficiency to mental efficiency occurred. The last step has occurred in the modern times. Here the shift focused on the development and dominance of the computer (Cook 2).
In Hong Kong, about 40% of households do not have a computer, while 70% do not use the Internet. Despite the rapid development and widespread use of information and communication technologies in recent years, scholars have drawn attention to the fact that access to these innovations is by no means even [1], and this has raised concerns about an emerging information gap in a society based on income and education. The issue of whether equitable access to information technologies and services in the digital age for the poor, the elderly and other disadvantaged groups is currently a controversial topic. The purpose of this essay is to examine the hypothesis that access to information in the digital age is unfair. I will examine two refuting arguments and two supporting arguments. The counter arguments are the quality of government councils improved and benefit with minority groups, and the supporting arguments are reinforcement of the non-digital inequalities and replacement of traditional services with digital. Then I will conclude by presenting my own opinion on the topic.
Whether it’s a friend that switched schools and is never around, or a family member in another country, the internet makes it possible to email, instant message, and even video chat. Such qualities of internet communication bring people together with more frequent contact, boosting sociability and relationships. The article “Fast Entertainment and Multitasking in an Always-on World” said, “‘I multitask the most with the computer and television,’ Justin explained. When there are commercials he usually goes online, ‘In that gap of time, I am normally on instant messenger talking to friends’” (Watkins 147). This is showing that people are squeezing in all their time to be connected with other people so they don’t fall behind society. Constantly connecting with people online has become a way to communicate to anyone throughout th...
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Closing the digital divide involves many components, starting with the education program and teachers. While schools are integrating new technologies into their programs, teachers are supposed to keep up with the latest technologies and use them in their curriculum to teach students. According to a U.S. Department of Education Report (1999), only 24 percent of new teachers felt sufficiently prepared to integrate technology into the curriculum they were using (Brogan, 2000). The problem is, many teachers did not grow up with computers and are not receiving the training they need to operate them (Brogan, 2000). Starting work as early as 7 a.m. and leaving school as late as 5 p.m. to go home and do even more work, leaves teachers lacking the time to learn new technological skills. Many schools offer training programs for teachers. For example, the Palm Beach County, Florida school district teaches Web basics for teachers at middle schools and magnet schools (Brogan, 2000). This is a great idea because it is giving teachers the opportunity to learn about technology and it is showing that the school district is interested in helping its employees become better at what they do.