Digital Divide
There was a time, not long ago, when the so-called digital divide was perceived and illustrated as a huge canyon or a mile-wide river. On the one side stood the technology-rich, happy because they had access to computers at work, school, and home. On the other stood the technology-poor, unhappy because they had no access at all. The digital divide is possibly the single, largest, segregating force in today's world. The lack of access, knowledge and understanding of digital capabilities that are changing the world is shocking. These capabilities are mainly focused upon the personal computer, Internet access and the skill to navigate and effectively utilize these technologies. Due to the relatively high costs and relatively low priority associated with addressing this issue, a generation of children and families will mature without these tools that are proving to be the key to the future. An estimated 429 million people are online globally, but even this overwhelming number is small when considered in perspective. Of those 429 million, 41% are in North America and they only represent 6% of the world's entire population. According to the Digital Divide Network, global Internet statistics include:
„« Women have surpassed men in Internet access and use. (51% to 49%, respectively) (Digital Divide Basics Fact Sheet, 2002, p. 1). Why Aren't More People Online?, (2001). Retrieved February 19, 2002, http://www.ipsos-reid.com/search/media/dsp_displaypr.prnt.cfm?ID_to_view=1244 „« 51% of all U.S. homes have a computer; 41.5% of all U.S. homes have Internet access With the controversy of a digital divide within our country as well as our world, the question still lingers as to who has the responsibility of getting the have-nots onboard. Businesses or Government? The business industry has put forth great effort to get involved with this mission. Major American corporations are giving away computer technology to the digital have-nots. American Airlines has recently announced that it will hand a free computer to each of its 112,000 workers. Delta Airlines is doing the same with their 72,000 employees. Ford Motor Company declared a year ago that they would furnish free, brand-new Hewlett-Packard computers and printers plus $5.00-per-month web subscriptions to its domestic and overseas employees. Naturally, in all of these cases, some systems will go to the wealthy executives, but many more will enter the modest homes of secretaries, security guards, and mail room clerks. Visa will be launching a program called "Practical Money Skills, For Life" within the next year. This program will include the donation of computers and Internet access to poor high schools and collaborating with some 12,000 campuses already online. Tom Lipscomb, President of the Manhattan-based Center fo
Some common words found in the essay are:
Skills Life, , Technology Centers, Department Commerce, Motor Company, Digital Future, School Districts, Basics Sheet, Retrieved February, Divide Network, digital divide, internet access, e-rate program, retrieved february, february 19, february 19 2002, 19 2002, retrieved february 19, digital divide basics, divide basics, basics sheet, educational technology, divide basics sheet, online population, basics sheet 2002,
Approximate Word count = 1075
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
