Digital Divide
This case study
will be focusing on the digital divide and the issues surrounding it both from
a global and a social perspective.
The concept of digital divide refers to the gap between those who benefit from digital technology and those who do not (Van Dijk, 2006, p. 1). People who are born in a developed country could never imagine a life without email, Facebook, Twitter, Mac or Internet. However for millions of people technology has never started. According to Rogers (2001) a digital divide exists in the USA and among European nations. The gap has been viewed by comparing The U.S with developing continents such as Latin America, Africa and Asia. Carr (2007) explained the digital divide by saying that wealthy nations are heavily equipped with information and communication technologies, while developing nations are left behind.
According to Benhabrim (2009) the notion has been hard to conduct a framework on as many researchers have developed several definitions and solutions concerning the digital divide. However, the digital divide includes two concepts. The first one includes the gap between developed and industrial countries, second is the divide between access and utilization of ITC across definable groups within a nation (Catherine Carey, 2008). This case study will focus on both of the concepts and identify solutions, which might contribute, minimizing the digital gap.
The picture bellow shows the information and communication technology penetration around the world
The graph above shows the computer penetration rates are very low in most of the countries in the world. The global divide is an issue in the world today, however the digital gap is not an issue in all parts of the world, but countries such as Middle East, Asia and Africa is highly effected by it. According to Carr (2007) developing nations have the lowest rates of usage, but also the most rapid rates of growth. This hinders developing countries to gain knowledge and access vital information.
The Global divide- a problematic issue to solve
The rapid growth of information technology has indeed, influenced the operation systems within the public sector as technologies introduce convenience in communication methods. Additionally, the Internet is an inimitable form of Information and communication technologies due to its efficiency and expediency. Computers have become more widespread in the industrial world, and not every country in the world has equal access to digital resources and infrastructure (Globalization, 2012).
Scholars have suggested several concepts, which can contribute to solve the unequal lifestyle differences between developing and industrial countries (ICT Diffusion Index, 2005). The issue, is difficult to solve, as Internet connectivity is almost non-existent in several areas of developing countries, and the places where Internet connectivity exists; the service is mediocre compared to the services existing in the industrial world (ICT Diffusion Index, 2005).
The concept of digital divide refers to the gap between those who benefit from digital technology and those who do not (Van Dijk, 2006, p. 1). People who are born in a developed country could never imagine a life without email, Facebook, Twitter, Mac or Internet. However for millions of people technology has never started. According to Rogers (2001) a digital divide exists in the USA and among European nations. The gap has been viewed by comparing The U.S with developing continents such as Latin America, Africa and Asia. Carr (2007) explained the digital divide by saying that wealthy nations are heavily equipped with information and communication technologies, while developing nations are left behind.
According to Benhabrim (2009) the notion has been hard to conduct a framework on as many researchers have developed several definitions and solutions concerning the digital divide. However, the digital divide includes two concepts. The first one includes the gap between developed and industrial countries, second is the divide between access and utilization of ITC across definable groups within a nation (Catherine Carey, 2008). This case study will focus on both of the concepts and identify solutions, which might contribute, minimizing the digital gap.
The picture bellow shows the information and communication technology penetration around the world
The graph above shows the computer penetration rates are very low in most of the countries in the world. The global divide is an issue in the world today, however the digital gap is not an issue in all parts of the world, but countries such as Middle East, Asia and Africa is highly effected by it. According to Carr (2007) developing nations have the lowest rates of usage, but also the most rapid rates of growth. This hinders developing countries to gain knowledge and access vital information.
The Global divide- a problematic issue to solve
The rapid growth of information technology has indeed, influenced the operation systems within the public sector as technologies introduce convenience in communication methods. Additionally, the Internet is an inimitable form of Information and communication technologies due to its efficiency and expediency. Computers have become more widespread in the industrial world, and not every country in the world has equal access to digital resources and infrastructure (Globalization, 2012).
Scholars have suggested several concepts, which can contribute to solve the unequal lifestyle differences between developing and industrial countries (ICT Diffusion Index, 2005). The issue, is difficult to solve, as Internet connectivity is almost non-existent in several areas of developing countries, and the places where Internet connectivity exists; the service is mediocre compared to the services existing in the industrial world (ICT Diffusion Index, 2005).
The gap
leaves developing countries behind, as they are inadequate to gain capital to
construct Internet connectivity. Building on this fact, the incompetence of
constructing ITC, persist developing countries to compete globally from an
economic perspective, enduring their GDP lower than industrial countries. This hinders
the population to access information for career development, leaving their
living standard and knowledge subordinate than the industrial countries (ICT
Diffusion Index, 2005).
Social divide
The gap between the ability of accessing digital information technologies does not only exist across different continents and countries but also within the nations (Globalization, 2012). Furthermore, the divide has been argued excessively as researches do not agree on the growth or decline of the concept (Moorhead, 2004). Building on this, Benhabrim (2009) states that the concept of the digital divide first emerged in the United States due to the differences among users based upon factors such as race, gender and income. Moreover, Benhabrim (2009, p. 13) states that the gap can be explained by technology “haves and have-nots”. It is important to note that even though industrial countries has the opportunity to access information communication technologies, certain groups within a nation do not know how to utilize it (ICT Diffusion Index, 2005). According to Selwyn, Gorard & Williams (2001) it is clear that certain social groups are facing segregation from educational opportunity, as they do not have both the ability and skills to access technology. For example, some researchers such as Van Dijk and Hacker (2003) explain that the digital divide can be based upon elements such as motivation to access ITC, skills and utilization. Therefore, certain policies supports learning programs aiming to provide IT centers at Schools in order to minimize the gap, overcoming the digital divide within a nation (Selwyn, Gorard & Williams, 2001).
Regardless of the disagreement of what factors, contributing to the digital divide in a country, several studies has been conducted. Moreover, most of them include data with factors such as socio-economic status, gender, age, geographic location and Internet access and utilization (Moorhead, 2004). There has been numerous of solutions identified in order to minimize the gap and stabilize the inequalities between technology “haves and haves-nots”. For the developing countries some of the solutions include enhancing business opportunities and economic progress, democracy, access to knowledge, education and digital solidarity; which means that the industrial countries help the developed ones with ITC contributions (Benhabrim, 2009). For the domestic digital divide, solutions such as increasing education structure, changing policies, institutional changes, incorporate reliable wide-band infrastructure throughout the nation and a digitally literate workforce (ICT Diffusion Index, 2005).
To conclude, the digital divide is an issue from both an international and domestic perspective. As solutions have been suggested, some scholars have recognized that the digital gap will continue to grow as people who first adopted technologies, will continue to adopt new ones (Benhabrim, 2009). Furthermore, this is commonly known as the ‘stratification model’, which indicates that the gap will continue to grow due to the diverse diffusion rates, both globally and within a country (Benhabrim, 2009). Furthermore, other scholars developed the ‘Technological dualism principle’, which basically explains that the digital divide has existed since the industrial age (Benhabrim, 2009). This principle indicates that the gap between different countries is manifested in the industrial age, as innovation has always existed in industrial countries. Therefore, these countries will continuously be superior compared to the developing countries (Benhabrim, 2009). Regardless of the different theories developed based upon the notion of the digital divide, the gap exists and the issue is hard to solve. The gap growing excessively as technology and ITC is developed and adopted in a rapid pace.
Social divide
The gap between the ability of accessing digital information technologies does not only exist across different continents and countries but also within the nations (Globalization, 2012). Furthermore, the divide has been argued excessively as researches do not agree on the growth or decline of the concept (Moorhead, 2004). Building on this, Benhabrim (2009) states that the concept of the digital divide first emerged in the United States due to the differences among users based upon factors such as race, gender and income. Moreover, Benhabrim (2009, p. 13) states that the gap can be explained by technology “haves and have-nots”. It is important to note that even though industrial countries has the opportunity to access information communication technologies, certain groups within a nation do not know how to utilize it (ICT Diffusion Index, 2005). According to Selwyn, Gorard & Williams (2001) it is clear that certain social groups are facing segregation from educational opportunity, as they do not have both the ability and skills to access technology. For example, some researchers such as Van Dijk and Hacker (2003) explain that the digital divide can be based upon elements such as motivation to access ITC, skills and utilization. Therefore, certain policies supports learning programs aiming to provide IT centers at Schools in order to minimize the gap, overcoming the digital divide within a nation (Selwyn, Gorard & Williams, 2001).
Regardless of the disagreement of what factors, contributing to the digital divide in a country, several studies has been conducted. Moreover, most of them include data with factors such as socio-economic status, gender, age, geographic location and Internet access and utilization (Moorhead, 2004). There has been numerous of solutions identified in order to minimize the gap and stabilize the inequalities between technology “haves and haves-nots”. For the developing countries some of the solutions include enhancing business opportunities and economic progress, democracy, access to knowledge, education and digital solidarity; which means that the industrial countries help the developed ones with ITC contributions (Benhabrim, 2009). For the domestic digital divide, solutions such as increasing education structure, changing policies, institutional changes, incorporate reliable wide-band infrastructure throughout the nation and a digitally literate workforce (ICT Diffusion Index, 2005).
To conclude, the digital divide is an issue from both an international and domestic perspective. As solutions have been suggested, some scholars have recognized that the digital gap will continue to grow as people who first adopted technologies, will continue to adopt new ones (Benhabrim, 2009). Furthermore, this is commonly known as the ‘stratification model’, which indicates that the gap will continue to grow due to the diverse diffusion rates, both globally and within a country (Benhabrim, 2009). Furthermore, other scholars developed the ‘Technological dualism principle’, which basically explains that the digital divide has existed since the industrial age (Benhabrim, 2009). This principle indicates that the gap between different countries is manifested in the industrial age, as innovation has always existed in industrial countries. Therefore, these countries will continuously be superior compared to the developing countries (Benhabrim, 2009). Regardless of the different theories developed based upon the notion of the digital divide, the gap exists and the issue is hard to solve. The gap growing excessively as technology and ITC is developed and adopted in a rapid pace.
Reference
Benhabrim, A. (2009). Reconsidering the Digital Divide: A look at technology innovation in Developing countries. iSChannel. (4), 1. Pp 12-15.
Catherine Carey. ”Economics of selling online”, November 1, 2008, Retrieved from: http://shielddigital.com/economicsofsellingonline/2008/11/01/building-a-bridge-to-everywhere-%E2%80%93-closing-the-global-digital-divide/
Deborah, C. (2007, July). the global digital divide. Contexts, 6(3), 58. Retrieved April 1, 2012, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1311120731).
Everett M. Rogers (2001), Digital Divide, Convergence, p. 1, DOI: 10.1177/135485650100700406
Jan A.G.M. van Dijk, (2006), Digital divide research, achievements and shortcomings, p. 1.
Moorhead, P. (2004). A
Profile of the Digital Divide. Retrieved from:
http://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com/small-business-articles/a-profile-of-the-digital-divide-659
Selwyn, N., Gorard, S & Williams, S. (2001). Digital Divide or Digital Opportunity? The role of technology in overcoming social exclusion in the U.S Education. Corwin Press Inc. (15) 2 pp. 258- 277.
The Digital Divide Report (2005). ICT Diffusion Index. United Nations Net York and Geneva 2006.
The Global Digital Divide (2012). Retrieved from: http://www.bowneglobal.com/latest/the-global-digital-divide-and-the-internet.html
Selwyn, N., Gorard, S & Williams, S. (2001). Digital Divide or Digital Opportunity? The role of technology in overcoming social exclusion in the U.S Education. Corwin Press Inc. (15) 2 pp. 258- 277.
The Digital Divide Report (2005). ICT Diffusion Index. United Nations Net York and Geneva 2006.
The Global Digital Divide (2012). Retrieved from: http://www.bowneglobal.com/latest/the-global-digital-divide-and-the-internet.html
