WWW.EUSS.EDU The ramifications of digital divide
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WWW.EUSS.EDU
Theramifications
of digitaldivide
ISSUESSURROUNDING
ACCESSSocio-Economic DivideDivide in InfrastructureDivide in ContentGender DivideSkills DivideUniversal Access Divide
SKILLS DIVIDE"Although accessibility is increasing, skills are notnecessarily conforming at the same rate of increase".(IIE, 2015)
As technology evolves, skills relating to digital literaciesneed to evolve too.
Areas that do not have access to the Internet are notsubjected to educating themselves in how to use certaintypes of technology. Resulting in a lack of development inthe necessary skills needed to acquire certain jobs.
divide in infrastructureSouth Africa has both first world and third world traits,due to it being a developing country. Some areas haveappropriate, up-to-date infrastructure and some lackinfrastructure all together.
This creates a divide in access to the Internet. In the areaswhere there are infrastructure restrictions, people usetheir mobile phones as their main source to the Internet.This is costly and deepens the digital divide.
socio-economic divideA lack of access to data and information - through the useof the Internet and digital devices like, computers,cellphones etc – causes a digital divide.
South Africa is still a relatively developing country inwhich there are geo-demographic and socio-economicfactors that cause separation. Resulting in a varied ratioof areas that don't have public access to the Internet,(especially among the poorer communities) and those thatdo.
Divide in Content"According to Dutton (2004) nearly 70% of websites are inEnglish". (IIE, 2015)
In our country alone there are 11 official languages. Whichmeans there is a percentage of the population that does notknow how to read or speak English.
This creates a digital divide between those that have accessto the Internet but then don't have access to websites thatare in there mother language.
Gender Divide"Statistics show that, on average, woman are online 23%less than that of their male counterparts".(IIE, 2015)
The gender divide in digital access in developingcountries deepens inequality.
Woman that are unable access the Internet miss out onaccess the education the Internet provides.
Universal Access DividePhysical disadvantages create a digital divide.
Those with physical disabilities often lack the fundsneeded to afford the latest technology. (IIE, 2015)
Figure 1: Universal Divide (The United Nations, 2012)
What is the Digital Divide andsocial capital?
The digital divide can be defined as, “the gulf between those who haveready access to computers and the Internet, and those who do not.”(WhatIs.com, 2016)
Social capital can be defined as, “the collective value of all socialnetworks (who people know) and the inclinations that arise from thesenetworks to do things for each other ('norms of reciprocity'). The centralpremise of social capital is that social networks have value” (IIE, 2015)
Not having access to social capital is an issue that needs to be madeaware.
What is knowledge capital andhuman capital?
Knowledge capital, also called intellectual capital, is theintangible asset that represents valuable ideas, methods,processes and other intuitive talents that belong to acompany. (Investinganswers.com, 2016)
Human capital refers to the skills, knowledge, andexperience possessed by an individual or population,viewed in terms of their value or cost to an organization orcountry. (Spence, 1973)
Consequences of the Digital DivideThe digital divide causes significant problems Instruggling parts of the world.
Access to technology is more restricted in the poorer lessdeveloped parts of the world such as Africa, India andsouthern parts of Asia.
These poorer nations are unable to afford the initial startup cost to be able to invest into technology to allow theirnation to be able to have and maintain internet access.(Dividedbytechnology.co.uk, 2016)
Consequences of the Digital DivideHaving limited to no access to technology puts poorer andless developed parts of the world at even more of aneconomic disadvantage. (3.bp.blogspot.com, 2016)
Figure 2: Global Digital Divide (Dekman5, 2016)
Consequences of the Digital Divide
By a country not having internet access, it means thatschools are unable to teach computer and technology skillsand take advantage of the huge amount of informationavailable on the web.
With a lack of IT skills people from these countries areunable to compete at an international level against moredeveloped countries, which puts them at a competitivedisadvantage.(3.bp.blogspot.com, 2016)
Consequences of the Digital Divide
In contrast to the poorer countries, richer countriesbenefit from more highly trained citizens which will lead toeconomic growth whereas poorer countries will not growor develop, until they get access to technology.
Countries that don’t have internet access are unable tocarry out e-commerce and e-business putting theircompanies at a significant disadvantage with in the globalmarket.
How can the Government assist tosolve the issues?
Government can assist in numerous ways to solve theissues surrounding access.
Governments should act by developing and using e-government tools in order to enhance e-readiness,encourage and educate the usage of ICT, and support thedevelopment of ICT skills in a non-discriminatory manner.
How can the Government assist tosolve the issues?
Government can offer cheaper alternatives of technology sothat poorer countries can start using computers and haveaccess to technology.
Improved infrastructure in rural communities can be put inplace in order to give the communities a chance to engage andlearn new technology.
It is important that government provides workshops, talksand facilities in order to help those who do not have access tothe internet.
How can the Government assist tosolve the issues?
Government must also provide individuals withtechnology such as a computers and an internetconnection so that communities can start competing withricher countries.
referencesAnon. 2015. Digital Citizenship. Module Manual. The Independent Institute of Education: unpublished.
Canva.com. (2016). marketinggoals 2017 – Presentation by kerryannthomas3. [online] Available at:https://www.canva.com/design/DAB0I1gjiOs/S7XJWp2ddhChIJZqAoPbcA/edit [Accessed 24 May 2016].
Dekman5, (2016). Global Digital Divide. [image] Available at:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Global_Digital_Divide1.png [Accessed 24 May 2016].
Investinganswers.com. (2016). Knowledge Capital Definition & Example | Investing Answers. [online] Available at:http://www.investinganswers.com/financial-dictionary/businesses-corporations/knowledge-capital-6014[Accessed 24 May 2016].
Spence, M. (1973). Job Market Signaling. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 87(3), p.355.
The United Nations, (2012). Social Inequality. [image] Available at:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_inequality#/media/File:Inequality-adjusted_Human_Development_Index.png [Accessed 24 May 2016].
WhatIs.com. (2016). What is digital divide? - Definition from WhatIs.com. [online] Available at:http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/digital-divide [Accessed 24 May 2016].
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