Kirsty Daniels
What is the Digital Divide?
The definition of the digital divide is that the “digital divide refers to the gap between those with regular, effective access to digital and information technology, and those without this access. It encompasses both physical access to technology hardware and, more broadly, skills and resources which allow for its use”. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Basically the digital divide is where areas have access to technology more than other areas, this creates a divide. Examples of the technology that others may have usage of are things like a computer and internet (broadband).
Where does it occur?
The digital divide occurs all over the world, it is global, and this includes Britain. Britain itself has a divide due to many regions having access and others than do not or have less access than. Circumstances are taken into account these include, race, finances and Location.
This pie chart shows parts of the world that has internet access in the year 2000. It tells us that the USA and Canada have a higher percentage of internet access than any other region. Europe and Asia/Pacific are close in percentage with Europe having 2.1% more internet users that Asia.
This map shows Broadband usage in Britain. South and South East of Britain uses more broadband compared to Northern regions and Wales. This map tells us that in the Southern regions 25.5-37.8% of the population has a broadband connection; in contrast Northern areas population only has 2.4-19.4% broadband connection.
What people are affected by the digital divide?
The digital divide can affect different groups of people including the disabled, the un-educated, races and ethnicity. Income and finances can cause a divide between others. Even though schools now-a-days are generally equipped with access to technology, some children cannot carry on learning or completing work at home as they are un-privileged. Two and a half million School children do not have access to the Internet at home and to continuing studying and educating at home is really important as children only spend 15 % of their lives at school. The facts prove that families with a higher income are five times more likely to own a computer at home than lower income families, this therefore causes a divide between the privileged and the un-privileged.
According to the European Union report “income, education and age are the biggest factors in creating the digital divide”. This report states that un-educated and poor people are those that are behind in technology, and women are taking to technology better than men. Age is even a factor but over 55’s are gaining some skills now. The report also claims “that computer skills can help people avoid poverty, and warns that without action, Europe will become increasingly polarised between what it calls the e-included and the e-excluded” This is basically saying that poverty can be avoided if the dilemma was not a problem anymore as computer skills could help people. What is also being known is that the divide will become more wide spread and the will become greater if the situation is not helped. Another problem that occurs is that the internet and computers is aimed at the highly educated individuals as it requires literacy skills and so those un-educated are already at a disadvantage.
50% is the national average for disabled people to own a computer but only 24% of American disabled own one and only ten percent use the Internet compared with a national average of thirty-eight percent. The internet can be very useful and practical for the disabled; they can contact others through email and chat, shop online, research topics and access the news easily and quickly and they can even work from home for example.
The blind have also benefited from computers as some software’s can provide help for them to use the computer and internet. The sightless had to wait months for objects to be put into Braille or on audio tapes for them to use, but now the internet and computers have become so enhanced they can now gain information as soon as they want. The internet can be very valuable for the disabled; it can even provide them with some independence.
Race is also a big problem causing the divide as different ethnic backgrounds have less or more access to technology than other ethnicities. Whites and Asians are more likely to own computers and have access to the internet, with Asians having a slightly higher percentage, whereas Blacks and Latino’s are less likely to have the privilege of the technology. One out of seven blacks and one out of eight Latino’s and Native Americans has access to broadband at their homes; this is compared to whites having 26 percent, with one third of all Asians having the highest access. These figures may occur due to income and education of families and individuals, as Asians and whites are more likely to own a higher income and be highly educated than Latino’s and Blacks.
These are just a few factors of what and who are affected by the digital divide. All varieties of people from all over the world are affected by the divide in some way.
Some figures:
· The UK has fewer broadband lines than any of the large global economies - 21st of 30 countries in OECD league
· At the end of 2000, less than 1 in 10,000 people in the UK had a permanent high-speed connection (DSL or cable modem) compared to 9 in every 100 in South Korea (0.01% compared to 9% of population)
· In December 2000, 8.6 million UK households had home access to the Internet. That's 35% of homes, up from 9% in December 1998.
· 33% of homes access the Internet from a home computer, 2% by other means such as WAP or interactive TV.
· 51% of UK adults have accessed the Internet at some time - 85% of the 16-24 age group.
· But only 15% of the 65-74 age group, and 6% of over-75 have used the internet.
· Men still outnumber women in Internet use in the UK - 57% of men and 45% of women have gone online.
(Figures from the Office of National Statistics - family Expenditure Survey)
What is being done about the divide?
The digital divide between rich and poor nations is narrowing fast, according to a World Bank report. The report looked at the United Nations campaign to increase usage and access to technology in LEDC’s, and they found that in poorer countries they’re gaining more access than ever before. They also stated that “The digital divide is rapidly closing”. The campaign goal is that half the world's population will have access to a fixed-line telephone, the report said, and 77% to a mobile network, they believe this will also help poverty.
Arizona in the US has a project called TOPAZ (Telecommunications Open Partnerships of Arizona) which helps to provide access to broadband in rural communities. Over the next 5 years Arizona expects to spend $100 million to support local public agencies in purchasing broadband telecoms services, via a state-wide carrier service.
Other than the US, England is also trying to help with the digital divide by setting up pilot projects which are being developed by the DFEE (Department for Education and Employment). Ten million pounds has been given to communities that are on the unprivileged side of the divide, these are just a few ways the money has helped communities in England.
Kensington, Liverpool, one of England's most disadvantaged inner city communities. Over 400 households are being wired up, with a total of 2,000 PCs to be installed
The Carpenters Estate, Newham, East London: an inner city housing estate. All 750 households and the local primary school will be wired up;
Framlingham, Suffolk: a rural area, centred on a market town, involving the more deprived areas that exist alongside pockets of affluence. 1,500 homes and the local school will be wired up;
BeaconNet, East Manchester: an inner city housing estate where all 4,500 homes will be wired up along with local schools;
Whitebirk Estate, Blackburn: an area in a town with inner city features. Over 2,500 homes will be wired up and five local schools will benefit;
Alston, Cumbria: a rural area in which 1,200 homes across three small towns and isolated farms will be wired up. The project will involve two primary schools and a secondary school;
Brampton upon Dearne, S Yorkshire: a former coalfield community. All 1,500 households in the community will be wired up and all 265 children at the local primary school will be provided with laptops.
All of these charities and organisations will help a great deal of people. They will help them develop skills, gain new knowlegde, have leisure interests and opportunities available to them and most importantly educated those not as privileged.
ONE LAPTOP PER PERSON WORK-
The OLPC is a project which has a goal. The goal is to provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves.
They would like every child to have a laptop as it is a learning tool. They are a wonderful way for all children to learn learning through independent interaction and exploration, and it is important to educate all children of the world, and as the technology-based teaching and learning is spreading all children should have the same opportunities. The Laptop's will cost $100 which will be able to do most things that a expensive laptop can.
The OLPC is an organisation that focuses on designing, manufacturing and distributing XO laptops to children in LEDC'S. The laptops will be sold to governments in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Central America, Ethiopia and Libya, and they are hoping that the machines will be ready mid way through 2007.
The One Laptop per Child Foundation is supported by individuals, businesses and foundations. Click on the link below to contribute.
http://www.laptopfoundation.org/participate/
