Week 10- Q2

What difference to all this might the digital divide make?
-To socioeconomically related access issues within a society
-To global access issues across countries and regions


The 'Digital Divide' refers to the gap between those who benefit from digital technology and those who do not. For example generally Upper Middle Classes have high-quality access to digital technology as they have the means to access it(money!). Those who cannot afford digital technology are simply left without access to it, or if they do have access it is usually low quality and merely localized versions of products and services, intended for the rich. The 'Digital Divide' mostly effects undeveloped countries, however it is evident within the class system as well. The ever changing new technologies purpose is to benefit the masses with new ways of finding information, the ability to develop new skills however what about those who are socially disadvantaged, those who fall in the bottom category of the digital divide? Prensky's idea of a digital divide, consists of digital natives and digital immigrants however the digital divide has taken place on a much larger basis than this, status, wealth and class.

Lister et al in New Media: A Critical Introduction, examine the digital divide in the U.S one of the most advanced 'rich' countries in the world and present the argument that digital divide is present in Western countries such as this despite it being one of the richest countries in the world. Lister claims "The digital divide reproduces other kinds of inequalities in the society". In America, White people are more likely to have access to the Internet than Black people or Hispanics from any location. The digital divide highlights how socioeconomic status determines whether or not you have access to digital technology. Novack and Hoffman argue that "differential access to online resources is a function of income". So according to these notions, the digital divide all comes down to how affluent you are. The digital divide reiterates the divisions between the classes, and mostly between the rich and the poor. If there was to be any equality in regards to access to the Internet and other digital technologies then the Inet would be made widely available to all, and cost should have no bearing on this. A persons socioeconomic status is judged by income, education level, social status so basically this means how wealthy and how educated you are.

Globalization of digital technology is a highly debated subject. We looked for example at the ever present challenges facing farmers in Africa, and the governments introduction of Infonet, a program where farmers can access vital information online, or offline about farming. However when we consider how little access there is to the Internet for developing countries such as these how many farmers are actually receiving this help. With the U.S, China and UK's ever advancing technologies further pushing the bridge between the digital divide, it is unlikely that these developing countries will ever catch up and have the access that we all take for granted. However it is not just the developing countries that are facing these problems as it has been shown the digital divide is evident within countries that are regarded as rich. The digital divide is an extension of the social problems and inequalities that already exist in countries such as these, but is another way of presenting the differences between the rich and the poor.

http://www.digitaldivide.org/dd/digitaldivide.html

http://www.flexibility.co.uk/issues/debates/divide.htm

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/earlycld/ea7lk5.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/10/99/information_rich_information_poor/466651.stm

I also used Lister et al(2003) New Media: A Critical Introduction, Oxon, Routledge- p199-200