FACTORS ATTRIBUTING TO THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

FACTORS ATTRIBUTING TO THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Refers to the social economic and other disparities between those people who have opportunists and skills enabling them to benefit from digital resources, especially the internet and those who do not have the opportunity. Most people think the digital divide is the difference between those who can have access with internet and those who do not have. It is not only about the lack of an affordable connection but also involves the lack of computer equipment’s and training necessary to use it     effectively. It is believed that digital inclusion is one the social justice.

There are some factors that attribute to the digital divide and they are as follows:

Poverty and infrastructure; this is the main factor of the digital divide. In today’s world those who are strong and rich they become stronger and richer and the weak and poor become more poorer and the weak. The less developed countries and the developing countries are not able to purchase or acquire the telecommunication infrastructures and equipment. They are not even concentrating on telecommunication instead they are concentrating on things lie health care, social infrastructure such as water and electricity so they have limited their underdeveloped infrastructure in ICT availability and thus information deprived.

Income: the level of income in most families also play a great role in widening the gap between those who have the access and those who do not have the access. It has been identified as the determinant of having computer and internet penetration at home. Due to the lower income levels, poor neighborhoods lack the lack the infrastructure available in affluent areas. The computer technology and the internet are already available fo the wealthier families, and communities. Income distribution is particular ital. n in the diffusion of new technology.

Education: also the education level is one of the reasons or the attribute of digital divide. The families with high level of education are more likely to use computers and internet. Also providing education in ICT is a big hindrance because ICT I very expensive. And because they lack education they don’t see the need of having computers or having the internet connection. The usage of computer to those who are not educated and to those who are educated is very different because those who are educated will need more internet connection in performing their activities unlike those who are not educated.

Technical support: providing ICT education is very difficult because it is very expensive and fund exhausting. Having few number of people with the ICT education cause the poor technical support in installing the system and repairing the equipment can be problematic and troublesome. Especially when there is a lack of expertise teachers often with lack of experience and guidance to the technology as in how to utilize the equipment and integrate to the curriculum. Therefore student are not able to receive the sufficient technological skills.

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