Lots of us agree that digital divide is the inequity access of computer / Internet.
What may be the consequence? One answer is that unable to access to them causes information inequity and further marginalized those who unable to access them, further push the digital divide gap. So in the stand point of social justice, we begin to fear.
Many people believe that digital divide is the cause of social-economic status. Say, if you can’t afford a computer and the Internet access, you fall into the victim of information and computer skill inequity. So you have a large chance to be in the disadvantage side of digital divide, just like the wealth divide and power divide.
(In the following discussion, I would like to refer computer / Internet access as “Digital”.)
I contemplate: what Digital brings to me? The answer is: I do gain information access and obtain computer skill development in a very general means. Just mention the informal learning side, say, I love taking pictures and I visit photography sites daily and absorb knowledge on camera component, accessories and digital editing skills. As for formal learning, we all use online library, Google scholar.
I can’t help thinking how popular Internet cafe is in China, which provides computers and Internet access for those who could not afford them (young people or students), to allow many activities such as studying, working, gaming, entertainment and instant message. Many times I passed the cafes simply to find young people were playing computer games or taking video chat, hanging on with net friends afar.
Digital use is voluntary. I noticed that my mom, with all convinience at hand (we had Digital at home), still prefered to use phone to connect to me. This pushed me to think that after all, Digital is a consumer product; some choose it while others don’t.
What troubled me was, the fear of digital divide pushes everyone to be Digital consumers.
Unexpected consequence of digital divide:
For those who on the weak side, they have
No Internet overuse
No video game overuse
No compulsive shopping, social networking, even blogging
Say, no Internet addiction disorder.
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Computer Addiction Study Center at Harvard (Maressa Orzack)
ReplyDeleteCenter for Internet Addiction Recovery (Kimberly Young)
Very interesting points. Based on the theory of diffusion though, characteristics that lead to adoption include visibility, ease of use, relative advantage, and trialability... So as computers become more visible, arguably easier to use, have more advantages, and people are given opportunities to try them out before purchasing them, more people will become digital consumers.
ReplyDeleteHowever considering that household computers in the US didn't begin to really increase until the late 90's (10 years ago say) there are several people that were in their 30s and 40s before they could afford a home computer. These people weren't exposed to the technology early enough to be compelled to adopt it. Since most of these people will continue to contribute to society for 30 or 40 more years a complete digital conversion is well into the future. By that time there will be new technologies and digital conversion will be a thing of the past.
I like that you point out that "going digital" isn't all advantageous. I think many people forget that computers come with just as many problems as they solve.
I've read that Internet addiction is a serious public health problem in Korea (probably other places, as well) and that even young people have died from cardiac arrest at Internet cafes. I spend a number of hours online every day and can see how easy it is to get addicted but I'm not an online game player so I can't understand that part of the addiction that can actually cause a heart attack from the prolonged stress. It's scary.
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