The Digital Divide; are the benefits associated with computers a privilege or a right?

Published online; 27TH October, 2011 ACADEMIC STUDY Author: Catherine McCann The online version of this article can be found at: http://globalgirlk.blogspot.com/ http://www.scribd.com/GlobalGirlK

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The widely acknowledged term Digital Divide represents an invisible barrier, an uneven balance and a distribution in the diffusion of technology across the globe. Rogers (2001) defines it as the gap that exists between individuals advantaged by the Internet and those individuals relatively disadvantaged by the Internet (p.100). In the twenty first century, there subsists an inequality of Internet accessibility and a disproportion of other forms of media, such as phones and personal computers. The divide exists amidst nations, generations and between genders. According to the index of ICT (2005), North America, Europe and Asia are portrayed as technology leaders. On the other hand, Africa and Latin America are characterised as the unconnected or the excluded. In modern society the Internet has developed into a necessity, opening a gateway to mass amounts of information and keeping people in touch with the outside world. In my view, it has become an essential component and requirement of life. Castells (2001) emphasises that the internet is the fabric of our everyday lives (p.1). People have adapted their lifestyles and cultures to suit the so-called wired world. Hence, it is clear to see that information technology plays an integral role in the political, economic and social development of a nation. I agree with Ted Nelson (1974) who sustains the view that computers should be for everyone. A myriad of advantages can be affiliated with the usage of technology, notably communication, empowerment, innovation, employment and diversification. It permits individuals access to information they would otherwise be denied. Primarily, IT facilitates the expression of individual opinions and preferences. The G8 Okinawa charter (2000) recognizes that we must maximise these benefits in order to flourish as a democracy. In this essay, I will argue that such technological benefits are of a basic right, unto which all human beings are entitled.

Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human rights (1948, cited in Nickel 2007, p.196) states everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. Technology is constantly changing and revolutionizing society. It is beginning to affect how we think, speak and act and has evolved into a primary method of communication. Communication is key to progress in most areas of activity and for solving problems in almost every area of life. There are many benefits associated with communicating through digital computers. Communication is now cheaper, quicker, more efficient and global than it was in prior years, with the development of information technology and systems. When communicating through e-mail, one can obtain an almost instantaneous response. Video conferencing enables dyadic communication, eliminating geographical boundaries. Furthermore, the Internet promotes freedom of speech and favours a democratic society as it allows people to communicate their views and preferences in a meaningful way. Everyone deserves the right to give his or her opinion, to be listened to and to attain feedback. Thus, the technological development of the Internet has encouraged inclusiveness and participation, thereby empowering people.

The Internet empowers the digital illiterate to learn, discover and to grow in a virtual learning environment, provided they have access to a computer, linked to the Internet. The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do many things they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didnt think they could learn before (Balmer, 2010).

Information technology empowers people, who may not have the opportunity to receive a formal education, to teach themselves. They can acquire new skills and expand their knowledge through this explosion of information available on the Internet. One has the opportunity to enrol in on-line courses and an avail of news items, books, Wikis, discussion boards, podcasts and so forth. In particular, this has the potential to benefit remote village areas and communities, where conventional means of communication may be limited. There is a belief in developing countries such as Rwanda, that if students wish to progress or succeed, they need to acquire IT skills. The Internet connects students with the rest of the world and therefore, enables them to have a broader perspective on life. Thus, information technology creates confidence and the ability to succeed in a competitive society. For these reasons, IT is extremely important for the future generations. Nelson Mandela (1994, cited in Dadzie, 2009) once proclaimed that it is better to lead from behind and to put others in front. Ergo, children are the future, as they shall be the future leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, politicians and doctors. For this to happen, they need to be equipped with the right knowledge and experience. The real emphasis is on education and empowerment. Therefore, access to education is a freedom of which all people should have the right to undertake.

The accumulation of IT skills can improve the possibility of employment, as most companies require their employees to have basic training in IT. This teaching of skills has the potential to stop local people from moving to other counties in search of steady employment. Thus, the economy becomes stronger as employment creates wealth, stability and improved infrastructure. Additionally, technology itself generates

employment in the form of computer programmers, web designers and IT teachers. People need income in order to pay for food, shelter and other discretionaries. In the majority of developing countries, the income received from working is key to their survival. In my opinion, to deny anyone this right would be unethical and unfair.

Additionally, digital computers affect how businesses operate. A business can expand into diverse markets, strengthen business relationships and learn about competitors through the Internet. Along with this, rural farmers and ordinary people can take advantage of digital computers as a stepping-stone in transforming into budding entrepreneurs. Farmers can decide whether to sell their produce to the domestic market or to transport it internationally. Advertisements online boosts trade across towns and villages. Local people can take advantage of this market space to sell old items such as television sets or come up with other new, innovative and quality products or services. On top of this, the Web allows geographical boundaries to be crossed at ease and thereby allows the formation of trading partnerships and real time trading across all markets, irrespective of location. Consequently, this increases the chance of a businesss survival in the current global economy. All people deserve the right to indulge in this benefit and to experience the benefits of the free-flow of information across the Internet. As a result, there exists improved competitiveness of individual business ventures and job creation. The economy of the country as a whole benefits from the resulting inflow of capital.

Furthermore, digital computers affect how health care is delivered. Eysenbach (cited in Rogers 2001, p.108) maintains that the internet offers the potential for reducing the knowledge gap between health providers and the public. Hence, this added awareness and improved availability of information reduces unnecessary visits for minor health problems. Moreover, with the use of technology, people can be diagnosed straight away. Medical diagnosis and patient care can be done from the comfort of ones home through web cam or Skype, eradicating the need to travel. Everyone individually deserves the right to an agreeable and satisfactory health care service and digital technology assists in enabling this, especially in digitally neglected and poorer countries, such as Mali and Ethiopia, where disease is widespread.

In summary, digital computers should be a right that everyone is entitled to and is worthy to receive. Computer access enables people to form identities, improves lifestyles, creates job opportunities and facilitates an interactive learning environment. All of which leads to innovation, the prospect of new businesses, improved infrastructure, wealth and global competition. The president of Rwanda, Kagame (2006) announced I am personally committed to an ICT-led future and I know that with good planning and sufficient resources, Rwanda can leapfrog into the digital era. Thus, it is clear to see that the digitally neglected need IT and support in order to prosper as a global knowledge economy. In my belief, to declare the benefits of digital computers as a privilege is wrong. All should be permitted to enjoy the benefits of IT and have access to IT. This may be achieved by gaining sponsorship from first world governments or multinational business corporations.

Bibliography Castells, M. (2001) The Internet Galaxy. New York: Oxford university press. Dadzie, A. (2009) Nelson Mandela Gets His Day: Modern Ghana, [Online] Available at: <http://www.modernghana.com/news/249447/1/> appreciation-nelson-mandela-gets-his-day.html (Accessed: 25th March, 2009). Nelson, T. (1987) Computer Lib. 2nd edn. Washington: Tempus. Nickel, J. (2007) Making Sense of Human Rights. 2nd edn. Oxford: Blackwell. Okinawa Charter on Global Information Society (2000). Available at:

< http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/summit/2000okinawa/gis.htm> (Accessed: 26th March 2009). Rogers, E. (2001) The Digital Divide, 96 (7), pp. 96-108 SAGE [Online]. Available at: < http://com.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/7/4/96> (Accessed: 18th March 2009).