Building a digital bridge to close the digital divide requires more than access!

The digital divide as stated in the book is “The economic, educational, and social inequalities between those who have computers and online access and those who do not (Wolske, M. 2020).” I’ve heard about the digital divide before because I realized that as a kid I was divided digitally compared to others, a sentiment I’m sure many can relate with. Throughout the years we’ve been able to slowly close the gap but as stated by speaker Arjun Lingala, “...4.3 billion people around the world don’t enjoy such access (Lingala, A., 2022).” That’s still a big divide we have. This means many individuals are missing out on opportunities that are only possible by having digital literacy. Luckily there have been efforts made to close the divide and many more can reap the benefits.

The lecture by Youngmoo Kim was very interesting, he mentioned how instead of closing the digital divide we need to learn to diversify and simply providing access is not nearly enough (Kim, Y. 2019). He states, “… the unintended consequence of fixating on access has been that we lost sight of the real goal of equity (Kim, K. 2019).” This line stuck in my thoughts because it's true we did fixate on providing the tools and many benefitted from it, however, we must keep in mind our socioeconomic status and how it gives us an advantage. What I mean by socioeconomic status is the privilege that some may have while others do not. Growing up I always knew that unlike the next kid I would have to work ten times harder just to appear “equal.” At a young age it was crazy to know and accept that mindset as “normal” I’m just glad that the times are continually changing and hopefully for the best.

Citation

Kim, Y. (2019). Getting Woke to the Digital Divide. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d5R5ZjRzsc.

Linglala, A. (2022). The Digital Divide. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZe4AoZ2Pv8.

Wolske, M. (2020). 3A: The Digitalization of Divides. In Person-centered guide to demystifying technology: Working together to observe/ question/ design/ prototype/ and implement/reject technology in support of people's valued beings and doings. essay, Windsor & Downs Press.

Comments

  1. SharmaineNovember 29, 2022 at 5:30 PM

    I agree! We have to remember that the digital divide is to provide equity among people across the globe. I have definitely had a similar experience of feeling alienated by people who did have access to certain technologies where I did not.

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  2. Geovani EscobarDecember 5, 2022 at 5:31 PM

    As you mentioned above Socioeconomic status does play a big part in how one gets placed in life. Not only do some of us have to work harder to just be on "equal" footing but the fact we realize this at a young age is crazy as you said. I think having the access to Education and also the internet does help a lot to gain success even though someone might have a better socioeconomic status. 

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