Ramifications of Digital Divide

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The
ramifications
of digital
divide

ISSUES
SURROUNDING
ACCESS
Socio-Economic Divide
Divide in Infrastructure
Divide in Content
Gender Divide
Skills Divide
Universal Access Divide

SKILLS DIVIDE
"Although accessibility is increasing, skills are not
necessarily conforming at the same rate of increase".
(IIE, 2015)
As technology evolves, skills relating to digital literacies
need to evolve too.
Areas that do not have access to the Internet are not
subjected to educating themselves in how to use certain
types of technology. Resulting in a lack of development in
the necessary skills needed to acquire certain jobs.

divide in infrastructure
South Africa has both first world and third world traits,
due to it being a developing country. Some areas have
appropriate, up-to-date infrastructure and some lack
infrastructure all together.
This creates a divide in access to the Internet. In the areas
where there are infrastructure restrictions, people use
their mobile phones as their main source to the Internet.
This is costly and deepens the digital divide.

socio-economic divide
A lack of access to data and information - through the use
of the Internet and digital devices like, computers,
cellphones etc – causes a digital divide.
South Africa is still a relatively developing country in
which there are geo-demographic and socio-economic
factors that cause separation. Resulting in a varied ratio
of areas that don't have public access to the Internet,
(especially among the poorer communities) and those that
do.

Divide in Content
"According to Dutton (2004) nearly 70% of websites are in
English". (IIE, 2015)
In our country alone there are 11 official languages. Which
means there is a percentage of the population that does not
know how to read or speak English.
This creates a digital divide between those that have access
to the Internet but then don't have access to websites that
are in there mother language.

Gender Divide
"Statistics show that, on average, woman are online 23%
less than that of their male counterparts".
(IIE, 2015)
The gender divide in digital access in developing
countries deepens inequality.
Woman that are unable access the Internet miss out on
access the education the Internet provides.

Universal Access Divide
Physical disadvantages create a digital divide.
Those with physical disabilities often lack the funds
needed to afford the latest technology. (IIE, 2015)
Figure 1: Universal Divide (The United Nations, 2012)

What is the Digital Divide and
social capital?
The digital divide can be defined as, “the gulf between those who have
ready access to computers and the Internet, and those who do not.”
(WhatIs.com, 2016)
Social capital can be defined as, “the collective value of all social
networks (who people know) and the inclinations that arise from these
networks to do things for each other ('norms of reciprocity'). The central
premise of social capital is that social networks have value” (IIE, 2015)
Not having access to social capital is an issue that needs to be made
aware.

What is knowledge capital and
human capital?
Knowledge capital, also called intellectual capital, is the
intangible asset that represents valuable ideas, methods,
processes and other intuitive talents that belong to a
company. (Investinganswers.com, 2016)
Human capital refers to the skills, knowledge, and
experience possessed by an individual or population,
viewed in terms of their value or cost to an organization or
country. (Spence, 1973)

Consequences of the Digital Divide
The digital divide causes significant problems In
struggling parts of the world.
Access to technology is more restricted in the poorer less
developed parts of the world such as Africa, India and
southern parts of Asia.
These poorer nations are unable to afford the initial start
up cost to be able to invest into technology to allow their
nation to be able to have and maintain internet access.
(Dividedbytechnology.co.uk, 2016)

Having limited to no access to technology puts poorer and
less developed parts of the world at even more of an
economic disadvantage. (3.bp.blogspot.com, 2016)
Figure 2: Global Digital Divide (Dekman5, 2016)

By a country not having internet access, it means that
schools are unable to teach computer and technology skills
and take advantage of the huge amount of information
available on the web.
With a lack of IT skills people from these countries are
unable to compete at an international level against more
developed countries, which puts them at a competitive
disadvantage.
(3.bp.blogspot.com, 2016)

In contrast to the poorer countries, richer countries
benefit from more highly trained citizens which will lead to
economic growth whereas poorer countries will not grow
or develop, until they get access to technology.
Countries that don’t have internet access are unable to
carry out e-commerce and e-business putting their
companies at a significant disadvantage with in the global
market.

How can the Government assist to
solve the issues?
Government can assist in numerous ways to solve the
issues surrounding access.
Governments should act by developing and using e-
government tools in order to enhance e-readiness,
encourage and educate the usage of ICT, and support the
development of ICT skills in a non-discriminatory manner.

solve the issues?
Government can offer cheaper alternatives of technology so
that poorer countries can start using computers and have
access to technology.
Improved infrastructure in rural communities can be put in
place in order to give the communities a chance to engage and
learn new technology.
It is important that government provides workshops, talks
and facilities in order to help those who do not have access to
the internet.

solve the issues?
Government must also provide individuals with
technology such as a computers and an internet
connection so that communities can start competing with
richer countries.

references
Anon. 2015. Digital Citizenship. Module Manual. The Independent Institute of Education: unpublished.
Canva.com. (2016). marketinggoals 2017 – Presentation by kerryannthomas3. [online] Available at:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAB0I1gjiOs/S7XJWp2ddhChIJZqAoPbcA/edit [Accessed 24 May 2016].
Dekman5, (2016). Global Digital Divide. [image] Available at:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Global_Digital_Divide1.png [Accessed 24 May 2016].
Investinganswers.com. (2016). Knowledge Capital Definition & Example | Investing Answers. [online] Available at:
http://www.investinganswers.com/financial-dictionary/businesses-corporations/knowledge-capital-6014
[Accessed 24 May 2016].
Spence, M. (1973). Job Market Signaling. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 87(3), p.355.
The United Nations, (2012). Social Inequality. [image] Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_inequality#/media/File:Inequality-
adjusted_Human_Development_Index.png [Accessed 24 May 2016].
WhatIs.com. (2016). What is digital divide? - Definition from WhatIs.com. [online] Available at:
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/digital-divide [Accessed 24 May 2016].

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