Digital Divide
The digital divide is the gap between people who have access to computers and have the skills, knowledge and ability to use computers as compared to people who do not have access to computers and also lack the skills and knowledge to use computers.
Factors contributing to digital divide
Education
Education is a factor that also contributes to digital divide. People who have skills, knowledge and ability to use computers are people who are educated. Illiterate people are the one who did not get a chance to go to school therefore they are the ones who lack skills, knowledge and ability to use computers. The educated people know a lot about computers as compared to people who are uneducated.
(Bridging digital divide)
(The gap)
Location
Rural areas have low levels of connectivity to an internet. People who live in rural areas are more disadvantaged than people who live in urban areas. Urban areas have high levels of connectivity to an internet based on broadband access and wireless hotspot.
Income differences
In terms of income differences, those people with high incomes can afford to buy PC’-s and also be able to install internet connections as compared to people who earn low income who can afford to buy PCs’.
What can be done to bridge digital divide?
When computers are old, companies throw them away instead of donating them. Companies can donate computers to those households who do not have access to computers at home by doing so the gap between people who have access to computers and those who do not can be closed.
Schools should provide training on how to use the internet. This can educate those individuals who lack skills, knowledge and ability to use the internet. Majority of people can be able to use the internet and the gap can be closed.
Links
References
Author: Chris Fleetwood
Date: July 2001
Website:dspace.dialpipex.com/town/parade/...
Author: Aoliveira
Date: 2006/07/02
Website: appliedict.wordpres.com
Authors: Angathevar Baskaran and Mammo Muchie.
Year: 2006
Book: Bridging Digital Divide
Publishers: Adonis and Abbey Publishers Ltd
Page: 204, 508 and 579
Written by: Mzwandile Mbokazi
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