The document discusses the digital divide, which refers to unequal access to and knowledge of new technologies based on factors like income, geography, age, and social group. It notes that the divide impacts economies and increases inequality. The digital divide can be understood through factors like infrastructure access, device availability, training, user skills and content availability. Causes include low literacy, income, geographical barriers, and lack of motivation or access to technology. Ways to reduce the divide discussed include improving access through affordable internet and devices, education on technology use, and technical support. The divide is analyzed through frameworks of access gaps and types of divides.
3. Digital Divide
The digital divide refers to the difference in access to and
knowledge of the use of new technologies . It is usually
determined based on different criteria, for example
economic, geographical, gender, age or between different
social groups.
The sociological term 'digital divide' refers to unequal
access to information and communication technology
based on social, economic, cultural and political factors.
4.
5. The digital divide depends on five factors that determine the level of equality of
access to information technology systems:
1) the existence of physical infrastructure for transmission;
2) the availability of connection equipment such as a computer, modem, and
access line;
3) training in the use of the computers and the Internet;
4) intellectual capacities and the social insertion of users (this is the product of
the educational and intellectual level, profession and the social network that
determines the effective use of information and the necessities of Internet
communication;
5) the production and use of specific contents adapted to the needs of the diverse
segments of the population.
The Dimensions of the Digital Divide
6.
7. Causes of Digital Divide
1.Low literacy and income levels
2.Geographical restrictions
3.Lack of motivation to use technology
4.Lack of physical access to technology
5.Digital illiteracy contribute to the digital
divide.
8. 1. Government Needs to Step Up.
2. More Digital Learning.
3. Digital Awareness.
4. Use Local Languages in Online Learning
Materials.
5. Special Resources for Physically Incapable
Students.
6. Address Social Issues.
How to Mend the Digital Divide Problem?
9.
10. The digital divide has an overall negative impact on the
economy and deepens income inequality. Without digital
skills and knowledge of advanced technologies, citizens
are unable to progress in their careers and contribute less to
the country's economy. As a result, the economy becomes
less competitive.
According to a statement by the United Nations,
governments can significantly reduce the digital divide gap
if they reduce the prices of technological devices, internet
services, electricity tariffs, and taxes.
Overall Impact of Digital Divide
11. 1. Access divide: It refers to the possibilities that people have to access this
resource. This is where socio-economic differences between people and
between countries come into play, since digitization requires very costly
investments and infrastructure for less developed regions and for rural areas.
2. Use divide: It refers to the lack of digital skills, which impedes the
handling of technology. In this regard, and to give an example, the ITU
points out that there are 40 countries in which more than half of their
inhabitants do not know how to attach a file to an email.
3. Quality of use gap: Sometimes they have the digital skills to find their
way around the Internet, but not the knowledge to make good use of and get
the most out of it. For example, with regard to access to quality information.
The Types of Digital Divide
12. The digital divide up into three stages:
1. The economic divide: the idea that some people can
afford to have a computer and Internet access while others
cannot. Because of the price of hardware has continued to
drop and, at this point, we can now access digital
technologies, such as smartphones, for very little. This
fact, means that for all intents and purposes, the economic
divide is a moot point and we should not focus our
resources on solving it.
A New Understanding of the Digital Divide
13. 2. The usability divide: the usability divide is
concerned with the fact that “technology remains so
complicated that many people couldn’t use a
computer even if they got one for free.” And even for
those who can use a computer, accessing all the
benefits of having one is beyond their understanding.
Included in this group are those with low literacy and
seniors. We know how to help these users, but we are
not doing it because there is little profit in doing so.
14. 3. The empowerment divide: the empowerment
divide is the most difficult to solve. It is concerned
with how we use technology to empower ourselves.
Very few users truly understand the power that
digital technologies can give them. Many people
will limit what they can do online by accepting the
basic, default settings of their computer and not
work to understand how they can truly be
empowered.
15. The digital divide is a term that refers to the gap
between demographics and regions that have access to
modern information and communications technology
(ICT), and those that don't or have restricted access.
This technology can include the telephone, television,
personal computers and internet connectivity.
In terms of geographies, Africa remains the
continent with the biggest digital divide and lowest
internet penetration.
Facts and Example
16. The model of access gaps explains the cumulative role of
four types of access gaps:
1. Motivational access: motivational access divide can be
social, cultural, mental and psychological. For example,
low levels of education, income, computer anxiety and lack
of time.
2. Material access: Material access is influenced directly
by income.
The model of access gaps
17. 3. Skills access: there are three different types of skills in this area they are:
1. Operational skills - the ability to use the software and hardware.
2. Information skills - the ability to search, select and process information in
computer and network sources.
3. Strategic skills - the ability to use computer and networks to reach a
particular goal.
4. Usage access: usage access refers to the differential use of applications in
daily practices and also includes:
1. time and frequency.
2. how active or creative internet use is
3. quality of internet, e.g. broadband or dial up.
18. 1. An affordable, good-bandwidth Internet service.
2. Devices with Internet access to meet everyone's
needs.
3. Educational pathways to use the Internet and other
digital technologies.
4. A quality technical support.
HOW TO REDUCE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE?
19. Through previous research and observations, the
digital divide is evident within healthcare,
education, and daily living. The consequences of
the digital divide can range but research has
shown that the gap can impact the health of the
population as there is an issue regarding equal
access and digital literacy levels.
Conclusion
20. References
1. van Dijk, J. (2012). The Evolution of the Divide: The Digital Divide
turns to Inequality of skills and Usage. Digital Enlightenment Yearbook
2012.
2. Ghobadi, S., & Ghobadi, Z. (2015). How access gaps interact and shape
digital divide: a cognitive investigation. Behaviour & Information
Technology, 34(4).
3. Nielsen, Jakob. (2006). Behavior Patterns (Digital Divide: The 3 Stages).