Digital Divide..

Should we be worried about digital divide? Why or why not?

To start of with digital divide is the gap that exists between those who own and have easy access to internet and computers in comparison to those who do not. Author Jeffery James states in his article that the global digital divide is widely measured by international institutions in terms of the number of persons with individual access to those technologies. Yet, while this measure makes sense in the rich countries, where individual ownership is widespread among the population, it makes very little sense in poor countries. I believe that we should be worried about digital divide due to various reasons. Digital divide is a gap on its own but it also is one of the many leading reasons that differentiate between the rich and the poor. We as UTSC students, as Canadians, as a first world nation are able to have access to computers, internet and many new technological inventions. We have easier and faster access to educational programs and games, research information for school projects and business, the opportunity to communicate with people from all around the world, the opportunity to share resources and ideas with people that have the same interests and even shopping around the world without leaving your computer. These are just some of the benefits we enjoy just because we have access to the computers. This geographical difference between Canada and any Third World country makes a huge difference in our lives. In the 21st century there are at least about ten million people in Third World countries who also have access to computers. But ten million is nothing in comparison to the total number of people that reside in third world countries, which exceeds 2.8 billion people! (Facts, 2009)  Yes, its true there’s MORE then 2.8 BILLION PEOPLE in Third World countries.

Digital divide is a complexed phenomenon, when looking at what the access to computers provides other then its benefits. One of the drawbacks of having easy access to the information provided on the internet is that not all information is locally or internally produced, instead it mainly is retrieved from outside sources. Even though, its possible to translate the most common language English into the desired language through which the internet is usually accessed, it still doesn’t provide the protective factors against the internet. I believe even though having internet access is an amazing factor in all our lives, I think for the young ones it doesn’t serve a purpose. Children today are introduced to the internet at very early ages such as 2 yrs of age. A 2 yr old doesn’t “Need” an internet service. The international agencies should focus on providing internet to those who really “need” it. For instance, a poor man, who has the potential of working and providing for his family, having access to internet, would make searching for a job easier for him rather then not knowing how and where to apply. The internet can categorize jobs according to location and convenience. Who knows, maybe that one man who has the potential of providing for his family might have been able to if he had the access to internet. I guess that’s something we will never know unless or until access to those who really need internet services is made easier for the poor in Third World countries. The digital divide is an issue which should be taken into consideration. It can be the source of good “change” in the Third World countries. It’s a source of education, since news and all sorts of information is all just one click away. I feel that even though there are many issues the Third World countries are facing, the digital divide should certainly be one that should be put into the queue for getting ahead. Progression is one click away.

Here’s a link for better understanding of the digital divide in the third world in clipped within 1min and 10 seconds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpAt1lLDXBg&feature=related

Please post a comment, on your thoughts!
- M.M