The recent shift into the Digital World follows the historical pattern of social, economic inequality (United Nations Development Program UNDP, 2012).
The Digital Divide is the gap the disadvantage fall while the advantaged stand on higher ground (Bentley, 2014).
Technology affects us in all aspects of life: communication, employment, education, and socialisation, falling into the Divide means less opportunity and more distance between the information technology society (UNDP, 2012).
Access to the internet is deemed a human right (Spriggs, Cited in Bentley, 2014).
So how do we bridge the gap?
Nicholas Negroponte is a Tech Visionary; he runs an organisation that helps bridge the gap, called One Laptop Per Child, distributing wireless laptops equipped with internet and battery to developing countries (Ted Talks, 2008).
But is computer and internet access enough?
The UNDP (2012) explains the key role in bridging the Digital Divide isn’t this simple.
Providing the tools isn’t helpful unless you know the skills involved
Providing education and fostering life-long technology skills and information processing ability combined with access to technology equipment and are fundamental aspects to bridging the gap between the Digital Divide (UNDP, 2012).
References
Bentley, P. (2014). Lack of affordable broadband creating “digital divide.” 774 ABC Melbourne, 1.
Teaching in a Digital World 