Entry #9 - The Digital Divide
During the past couple of weeks, my English class has really begun to dive deep into media and the impact that it has on society. I have been thinking a lot about media and technology, as well as the many ways that they affect my life and the lives of those around me. I've also been thinking about how media impacts the lives of those who don't have access to it. The digital divide is "the growing gap between the underprivileged members of society, especially the poor, rural, elderly, and handicapped portion of the population who do not have access to computers or the internet; and the wealthy, middle-class, and young Americans living in urban and suburban areas who have access," (Stanford University). UN's Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development tells us that only about 53.6% of the global population actively uses the internet. That means that approximately half of the world's population either doesn't have access to the internet, doesn't know how to use it, or doesn't want to use it. This digital divide can have very negative affects on people and their ability to be successful in this world.
According to Charlie Muller, a former program specialist of the Internet Society, the digital divide can be caused by many different factors, including but not limited to access to the internet, affordability, quality of internet service, understanding of how to use it, and security. Factors such as these often lead to mass populations having a lack of access to the internet. For example, in India there are approximately 672.92 million people without internet access, and in China 347.05 million are off the grid (Statistica). The United States is a highly developed country, yet there are still approximately 24 million households in the U.S. that are offline (Michelle Cao). About 25% of that 24 million cannot afford it, have no computer, or internet is just not available in their geographic location (Michelle Cao).
When people don't have access to the internet, they may also lose access to healthcare and its outcomes, economic opportunities, and educational opportunities (Charlie Muller). As an example, we can look at the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. During the Covid-19 surge, many people without internet access had no way to know details about covid, its symptoms, or its dangers. During the pandemic many people also lost their jobs, and if the internet was not an option for them it was very difficult to find potential job opportunities without the ability to research online. Perhaps the most obvious example is the lack of educational opportunities that people experienced. Most schools switched to full online learning, and obviously, without access to the internet that made it very hard for some kids to get a decent education. Clearly, a lack of access to the internet is a major issue in the world today; however, I believe that there is another type of digital divide that impacts our society on a much more personal level. . . a type of divide that I myself have experienced.
I personally am very wary when it comes to social media, and I think that I get a lot of that from my parents. I didn't own a phone until I was about 14 years old, which in today's day and age is extremely late compared to the kids who are getting their first phones at the ages of eight and younger. Even now, I have chosen that I do NOT want to have any type of social media. I am on Pinterest, but that's it. My mom has told me that I can set up an account on a social media platform, but I worry about the security risks and potential addiction issues that could come with it. When I was younger, my disinterest in social media didn't seem like a big deal, but as I have aged I have begun to notice something. I have noticed that even when I am not on any social media platforms; even when I try to distance myself from social media, it still manages to impact my life.
Recently, I have begun to feel a little bit distant from a lot of my friends because of social media. When we have conversations, they tend to bring up jokes, posts, or videos that they saw on a social media account. I tend to have no idea what they are talking about, so I just go along with it. Then, even when we are gathered together, they will be on their phones playing games or having conversations with EACH OTHER through social media. It astounds me that they choose to play a game online with each other while they are literally sitting across the table from the other person. Personally, it makes me feel a little left out. I know that I bring it upon myself to some degree since I refuse to have a social media account, but I shouldn't feel forced to get one. I shouldn't feel as though I have to be on social media in order to be as close to my friends as they are with each other. As of 2021, 58% of people without internet in the U.S. felt that they had no need and no interest in having access to the internet (Michelle Cao). Obviously, I am not the only person who has no desire to be involved with social media, so why is it so hard to avoid it?
Fifty percent of the global population does not even use the internet! That is a crazy statistic that I hadn't even realized before. After reading your blog I can say I am definitely grateful to have access to the internet. Especially for things like education, job opportunities, and communication.
ReplyDeleteI also did not have a phone until I was 14 and I honestly love that for us! These days there are ten-year-olds already hooked to social media using Snapchat to keep up with their fourth-grade classmates. As much capability the internet has in keeping those who live far apart in touch, it does often take a hold on society deeper than it should. If the internet has become such a defining factor in our world, it should be made easy to access for everyone internationally.
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