Piecing Together the Digital Divide
 For todayâs society, a life without internet is nearly impossible to imagine. From home, schools, local cafes, malls, and even public transportation â wireless internet is available almost anywhere you go. The reality, however, is that millions of people around the globe do not have access to the web â let alone a device that allows them to do so. Yes, you heard me right folks. At this very moment, there are walking, living, breathing human beings who go through their every day lives disconnected from the online world. How are they any different from us you might ask? Well, for starters - they interact with each otherâŚface-to-face. All the time.Â
(Source) Although it is, in fact, possible to function in society without the use of digital devices âthere is no denying its ability to heighten ones overall capabilities. With the help of the internet, the ability to learn, communicate, and obtain information has never been easier. Just like how having access to any other resource would, it can improve ones quality of life. In the instances that this resource is scarce, this is described as the digital divide. According to Maria Skaletsky, âThe Digital Divide can be defined as an inequality in access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), such as personal computers, Internet and mobile phones (Norris, 2001)⌠At the global level, the problem of the Digital Divide is important since access to ICTs is an important tool for social development and economic prosperity (Sciadas, 2005).â (p. 1) Despite the continuous advances of todays day and age, however, there remains segments of people who â¨have never been exposed to the internet .
(Source) Who is missing from the web? â¨Continuing on this notion of a global divide, for those living in developing countries, the gap is especially prevalent. More often than not, these individuals are living in remote areas where they do not have the resources or funding to acquire such technology. As a result, they are left at a disadvantage compared to their developed counterparts. In a documentary titled âBlack Girl Codeâ, the film reveals the reality of the underrepresentation of black girls and people of colour alike in the technological field. This is only one of the many examples of this absence. So, how can we bridge the gap?
(Source) The first step is acknowledging that this is a problem that exists. This requires increasing awareness globally about the issue at hand, and supporting the initiatives that present us with various solutions. Some of these include:Â
XO laptop â One Laptop per Child⨠Just like the name suggests, XO laptop is an initiative that works towards providing all children in developing countries with a learning device that has been tailored specifically to their learning needs, and also to the environment around them. Through donations, the foundation is able to provide kids in schools with laptops to enhance the overall education experience.â¨
âinternet.orgâ In an attempt to provide global internet access to the 5 billion who are not online, internet.org is Zuckerbergâs vision to unite those missing from the internet. By using Facebook as its platform, the initiative seeks to encompass an all-in-one program that includes everyday applications such as news and health. Through its use, the initiative hopes to improve the lives of these individuals in ways big and small.Â
Who benefits? Simply put - everyone benefits. For those in disparate areas, the internet not only act as a resource, but provides each person with a voice to express their thoughts, ideas, and obtain an immeasurable amount of knowledge regardless of their living situation. This opens up opportunity for increased creativity and communication, which can be especially useful when it comes to determining solutions to problems, or working together to come up with new initiatives. Will reducing this divide be an easy task? Of course not. But it will be worth it.
(Source) Skaletsky, M. (2013). Essays on the digital divide - explorations through global, national and individual lenses (Order No. 3587811). Available from ProQuest Business Collection; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1427340691). Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1427340691?accountid=13631











