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The Global Digital Divide. ZACHARY BRAUND MOL PROFESSOR STACY ENGEL. Digital Divide Defined.
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The Global Digital Divide ZACHARY BRAUND MOL PROFESSOR STACY ENGEL
Digital Divide Defined The term 'digital divide' describes the fact that the world can be divided into people who do and people who don't have access to - and the capability to use - modern information technology, such as the telephone, television, or the Internet. (Rouse, 2005)
Where does the digital divide exist? The digital divide exists between those in cities and those in rural areas. For example, a 1999 study showed that 86% of Internet delivery was to the 20 largest cities. The digital divide also exists between the educated and the uneducated, between economic classes, and, globally, between the more and less industrially developed nations. (Rouse, 2005)
Economic Equality Countries lacking communications services are at an economic disadvantage due to the continued emergence of careers that require access to the internet. “Much vital information for people's career, civic life, safety, etc. are increasingly provided via the Internet. Even social welfare services are sometimes administered and offered electronically. (The Internet Coaching Library, n.d.)”
Educational Equality Equal education administration is impossible to enforce without the equal distribution of educational tools. Students who have access to the internet have an advantage over those who do not in a world that is becoming heavily reliant upon technology. Furthermore, many jobs in the future will be limited to applicants with substantial computer literacy. This would leave over half the worlds children at an automatic disadvantage.
Technology is only as powerful as it is accessible. Broader access brings education, information, and a sense of community that can help combat AIDS, malnutrition, ignorance and neglect. The power of a connected and enlightened world community is just beginning. Hector Ruiz, ex-Chairman of the Board and ex-President of AMD
Digital Democracy The spread of information digitally has the power to change nations if such digital mediums are available. “Digital technology, I believe, has the potential to radically change the world order much as Martin Luther's rough parchment and Thomas Paine's ink stained pamphlets did in their time. I believe it can change the world for the better bringing education and enlightenment to corners of the world held too long in dark tyranny. (Winston, n.d.)”
REFERENCES • Rouse, M. (2005, April). Digital divide. What Is ? Retrieved June 2, 2013, from http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/digital-divide • The Internet Coaching Library. (n.d.). Digital Divide - ICT Information Communications Technology - 50x15 Initiative. Digital Divide - ICT Information Communications Technology - 50x15 Initiative. Retrieved June 2, 2013, from http://www.internetworldstats.com/links10.htm • Winston, D. (n.d.). Digital democracy and the age of new reason. Http://www.saddleback.edu/faculty/agordon/documents/DigitalDemocracyandtheNewAgeofReason.pdf. Retrieved June 2, 2013, from http://www.saddleback.edu/faculty/agordon/documents/DigitalDemocracyandtheNewAgeofReason.pdf