FYS DS

The Digital Divide is reffering to the gap

between those who have access to

information technology, like the internet,

and those who do not. Also, those who do

not have the skills/knowledge to use

technology effectively.

America

The digital divide in America is mainly between seniors, low-income

and rural Americans, along withAmericans with disabilities.

• These select groups are singled out becuase they have the

least amount of resources and opportunities to become

digitally literate.

Seniors: Older Americans are at a disadvantage because they are

less likely to have internet access. Most do not entirely understand

how these technologies work, since this is nothing they have ever seen

before.

Low-income: This group does not have the funds necesary to own

computers, let alone pay for an internet service. Those low income

teenagers and young adults, however, are able to access the internet

via school.

Rural Americans: Rural areas are underserved. They are known for

slow service, if any at all. Along with frequent dropped calls due to

bad reception.

Disabilities: The Americans with dissabilites are highly disadvantaged

becuase in some cases it is harder for them to utilize computers and cell

phones. Some may also have a harder time learning how to use these

technologies because they can not grasp ideas as well as others.

• Connect to Compete: promotes broadband adoption and digital literacy, by working

with America's schools and public libraries to help promote and teach digital literacy.

• Code for America: devoted to promoting participation through tech-savvy governance

for all America.

• Internet Essentials: created by Comcast, which is a low cost internet service for families

receiving free school lunches that is available wherever Comcast provides services.

Africa

This is a map of the mobile penetration in Africa.

The majority of the country is less than 60%.

• New cables are being laid, which will vastly improve broadband internet access, along

with 3G mobile technology. There are 14 fiber-optic cables under the sea linking Africa

to European and Asian Data Centers. These cables also lower the price of internet access.

• Digital Solidarity Program: advanced technological countries would commit to assisting

poorer ones.

• CD-ROM training course for HIV/Aids health care providers. This cuts costs and saves time.

Growing up, I would say I was rather privileged. I had a computer since I was in first grade and always had access at school. During grade school we had a computer class, where we would play learning games, but we never really learned how to do much else with the computers. Once middle school came around we had a legit computer class where we learned all about Microsoft Office and how to use different types of writing applications. This was not very helpful for me though because I was very intuitive and taught myself how to use all of these programs at home.

Even though I was very privileged and able to teach these new technologies to myself, a lot of older people are not able to. For example, most recently my dad had lost his job and he had to make resumes on the computer and fill out job applications on the computer. This was very frustrating for him because he did not know how to utilize the programs or work some of the job application websites because they involved uploading documents, which was foreign to him. It was always funny to me because I would just be relaxing in my room and next thing I know my dad is screaming and yelling at the computer because it did something weird, AKA he hit the wrong button. That was my que to go upstairs and help him. Which was always rather frustrating for me because he was already so mad at the computer that he would be yelling while he was telling me what was wrong, causing me to have to calm him down and say “Dad, it is alright, this is what you did, and this is what you wanted to do”. Then I’d just hope that he would not have any other problems.

The Digital Divide

What?

Who?

Who & Why?

Who?

The who is not as specific when it comes to Africa. Less than 10% of the continent's

population has access to the internet. The divide widens in the African countryside

due to the lack of roads, telephone lines, etc.

The digital divide affects each

country very differently.

America will be discussed first, then Africa. Then I will discuss how the digital divide has personally affected me.

Why?

• Africa has low broadband penetration, which limits the ability of its nations economic

growth that is often accompanied by the spread of the internet.

• The cost of the internet and phone service in Africa is the highest in the world.
• Africa has the fewest telephone lines, radios, televisions, computers, and internet users

of any part of the world.

• In sub-Saharan Africa 1 in every 250-400 people have internet access, compared

to the rest of the world, where 1 in every 15 people have internet access.

• There is a huge backlog in the provision of broadband internet.

Solutions

The red areas are the areas that are the least connected.

Solutions

Myself