Reading this week’s materials made me realize the huge gap in Digital Inclusion, Equity, and Literacy between first and third countries. Coming from a third-world country like Mexico, the irregularities and the differences and inequality between those who live in urban areas from those in rural areas is overwhelming.
Most of the little towns away from the major cities have a
notable backwardness regarding access to technology, communities lack financial
resources and access to the key elements for digital inclusion: 1) affordable,
robust broadband internet service; 2) Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs
of the user; 3) access to digital literacy training; 4) quality technical
support, and 5) applications and online content designed to enable and
encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration1
(Wolske, 2020, Page 79). The Digital Divide is clearer when communities living
in poverty and under oppressive structures lack the tools and skills required
to compete for fair opportunities to be part of the digital revolution era.
On the other side, people in third countries who have access
to the internet and technology in general sometimes are forced to decide
whether to have a smartphone or a laptop because the purchasing power isn’t the
same as the developed countries; as Arjun Linglala mentioned on his video
“those who can afford a portion of them can only afford models that are low
quality because that is what they can afford given their financial situations”2
(Min 0:58); which makes me think in the clear example of the massive difference
between the population who have and can afford an iPhone vs an Android here,
and in third world countries as Mexico.
Is evident that the Digital Divide is a social issue, that
requires investment, infrastructure, and the engagement of the communities to
work cooperatively and foment initiatives that empower those in disadvantaged
populations.
Citations
1 Wolske, M. (2020). 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. Windsor & Downs Press.
2 TEDxTalks.
(2018, April 5). Internet of things: Are smart devices helping or harming? |
Rose Barker | tedxsalem. YouTube. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipdTLJcIkWI&t=570s
Hi Priscilla,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your conclusion that the Digital Divide is a social issue, that requires investment, infrastructure, and the engagement of the communities to work cooperatively and foment initiatives that empower those in disadvantaged populations. Thanks for your sharing.