Just How Wide is the Digital Divide?
It seems that the central question posed in this weeks reading is what constitutes access? Is it just having a computer available to you? But if one lacks the knowledge to use it, does that person really have access the internet? In my opinion they have access, but that access comes with qualifications. Until that person can gain the tools or knowledge required to use the internet, they have only half of what they need. With the constant expansion of the internet into programs that are easier to use all the time and materials that are constantly getting cheaper, it seems that the industry is destined to eventually give access to all those who desire it. We can see by the PEW research that usage in all demographics has grown fairly steadily in the last 10 years (except perhaps for the misleading data on senior citizens), and it's obvious that the internet is becoming more and more a part of daily life nationwide.
In regards to the life of children on the internet, it's clear that children that are now growing up in the digital age are more used to electronics than their parents were. I'm sure we all have experienced having to show our parents how to work the remote or do something on the computer at some point in our lives. With this in mind, it seems uneccessary to teach children anything but the most basic internet use, because they'll be able to figure it out for themselves before long anyways. However, I definitely think schools should take time to teach children about internet safety, because I believe that is the area they wouldn't pay much attention to on their own.
On the related topic of the One Laptop Per Child initiative, while it obviously isn't as important as basic necessities of food, clean water and shelter, computers are at their core (at least how they're being used in this case) an educational tool. I think it's hard to dispute that educational materials should be distributed to children around the world as widely as possible.
Comments
You bring up an interesting point that access is not only the physical access point but also the knowledge and ability to understand the online applications. With an ever changing internet maybe there may become more Net Dropouts due to their unability to adapt. (Lenhart, p2)
I like the point you make that we have had to show our parents how to use such simple technologies such as a remote or computer. It does seem that our generation was able to somehow teach ourselves to use the computer and access the internet.
Good job on your post. AR
Posted by: globalnetwork | February 27, 2007 11:17 PM
I even notice with my older brother, who is 7 years older than I am. When he was really young he had Nintendo and the like, but he wasn't growing up at a time when computers were as ubiquitous as when I was growing up, and he uses his computer much less. Until recently, he didn't even have one at home, so all he was able to use was the one at work, which had restrictions on use. It seems like our generation has some innate adaptability when it comes to internet and computer programs that other generations aren't as able to benefit from.
Posted by: tcarr | March 2, 2007 10:38 AM