I have always been fortunate enought to have access to a computer as well as internet access. It has been said that my generation is the first group to grow up with all of these capabilities; all of our lives. For that reason, it is hard to imagine that there are still quite a few people who do not have any type of internet access.
According to class lecture, the digital divide is the divide between people with effective access to online information and those with limited or no access. These two different types of people (those with internet access and those without) are divided into the "haves" and "have-nots". Demographically, the "have-nots" are usually African-American, Mexicans, less-educated, and poor. On the other hand, the "haves" are Caucasian, Asian, well-educated, and wealthy. As the gap widens between the "haves" and "have-nots", the less fortunate are unaware of important social events or news; their social awareness is minimal.
In a recent study, the digital divide was taken a step further. Researchers looked at what factors might contribute in helping people become part of the "haves" population. However, what I found more interesting was their focus on self-efficacy and education and their relationshipwith the content of the internet usage. Zeng believed and proved that the higher education you have, the more likely you are to use the internet for more intellectual purposes. Knowing that, rather than using the internet for education or important social awareness purposes, the less educated population of the "haves" are using the internet for things like facebook updating, youtube videos, and online shopping. Zeng goes on to state, "the sensibility factors of internet use, including the attitude toward the internet and the internet self-efficacy, have significant positive effects on the level of internet use, including the time of internet use and the index of internet use about studying and working (Zeng, 2011).
Zeng, F. (2011). College students perception of the second-level digital divide: An empirical analysis. Asian Social Science, 7(6), 42-50.
Blog #2 Comment:
ReplyDeleteI would like to think that if individuals have the opportunity to become better educated that they may use the internet more for productive, intellectual purposes. It's interesting that Zeng points out that the haves are using the internet for intellectual purposes and the have nots are using the internet for not as productive web browsing, but personally I think that many educated individuals are less than productive online as well. Good article find though.
-Amy Sims
I as well grew up with the internet and have always had access to it whenever I needed it. I can see how you might feel that people today still don’t have readily available access to the internet as it seems to be a must have. The internet allows us to improve our knowledge and keep us up to date on current events. It definitely saves us time especially when it comes to banking. Not having to visit a branch every time you need to make a transaction allows you to have more “you” time and continue with your daily routine. I did find it interesting that the less educated only use the internet for social reasons as oppose to keeping them up to date on current events.
ReplyDeleteJonathan Barrera
I also grew up with computers and always having the internet available. It is interesting to know the demographic factors and computer usage of the “haves” and “have-nots”. It is also interesting to know that the “have-nots” are uninformed of important events and what is going on in our society and world. I would also like to think that educated individuals would use the internet for more educational purposes rather than Facebook or Youtube considering there are “have-nots” in the world who do not get those privileges.
ReplyDeleteBlog comment #2
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else, I have always had access to a computer and learned how to operate one at an early age. I remember getting easily agitated and annoyed at other kids because they weren’t as computer savvy as I was, but now in hindsight I realize that many of those kids didn’t grow up with a computer in their homes. Maybe this early access causes us to take certain technologies for granted. We automatically expect others to have access to them and know how to use them, which can potentially lead to us not being considerate of others who aren’t as familiar with technology.
-Melissa Mancilla
Your point relates to the fact that computers and internet are being introduced to children at younger ages in the recent years. Even the poorer school districts that would have the "have-nots" kids going to school there are slowly starting to have the chance to use a computer for educational purposes before the fun stuff. Now that computers are becoming much cheaper and fiber optics and cable are helping internet be more accessible, the divide will keep closing in.
ReplyDelete-Michelle Ybarra
I also find the digital divide interesting. I do believe though that technology is more widespread these days and I find it that many people have easier access now. For example, whether or not a child has a computer or internet at home, they still have access at school or a public library. They might not know how to use it or be familiar with is like a child who has 24 hour access, but they still have the opportunity. Also, with phone plans decreasing in price, I find that more people are getting smartphones or will budget to ensure they have one as adults or provide a cell phone for their child. I am interested to see if the gap gets bigger or smaller in 20 years.
ReplyDeleteLyndsey Harvey
The Digital Divide is interesting to me because I have never really taken the time to think about the "have nots". I feel that in todays society the "haves", probably take for granted how easy their life is with the access this technology allows them. I assumed that with libraries and public access stations, the "have nots" who can't afford computers, have at least access if they really wanted it. I do think that many of both sides, do waste a lot of time on social networking sites (which i am guilty of), I feel as though her study is a little harsh in stating that"have nots" use the computer for less educated sites, aren't we all guilty of you tubing, facebooking and looking up silly sites, no matter what divide side your on?
ReplyDeleteHarriet Duncan
I find it hard to believe that the less educated use the internet for none-education reasons. Someone who did not grow up with computers, such as our parents, have learned a lot by using these technological advances. My mother just recently purchased an iPhone that has internet access on it and she is constantly talking about new information or features she has found. Where as most of what she is telling me, i already know. Then again, she did find an app that will allow her to check her farm on Farmville and I know this isn't as informative or productive as I would like to think. As much as I would like to think otherwise, maybe the less educated do use the internet for non-educational productive reasons.
ReplyDeleteCecile Mendez
I would have thought that the digital divide would be getting smaller over the years instead of bigger. With technology becoming evolving faster and faster you would think that the price for basic things like PCs and regular lap tops would be cheaper with the craze of tablets and notebooks starting to pick up. I know that with the PC or lap top you need to pay for internet connection as well as other things, but compared to how much computers cost now rather than lets say 10 years ago, its getting a little cheaper for the "have not's"
ReplyDelete-Celso Perez
What about people who are too stubborn to use computers? They've never had to use a computer before and now that everything is moving towards being more technical, they are worried because they know absolutely nothing.
ReplyDeleteThat's my parents. They always made sure that we, my brother, sister and I, had a computer for school. I've been using (and destroying) computers since I was five. They, however, never used them. Last year at the schools they worked out, it was necessary for them to use computers for email and grade speed. They had no interest in learning how to use the computer as they were to make me do the work for them and be done with it.
My brother used to be good with computers as well, but years of being away from a computer and the advances in computer technology made him hesitant to try and learn and on top of that, he really didn't want to.
I don't think the digital divide is limited to those categories, but I do agree that it is widening.
-Rachel Rodriguez
I always believed this "digital divide" to only affect the physical aspect of it (having a computer). But its more than just having a computer, or access to one. Its what you do with it. I know alot of people who have access to a computer regularly, and spend all of their time shopping. While others with limited access use it for educational purposes. I can see how access can be taken for granted, but also not having access to technology may pave the way for not using it wisely once you have it; being that you now have access to use technology for "fun" purposes.
ReplyDelete-Lawrence Mungaray
Its interesting to think that some people do not have access to internet. I mean most of my life revolves around this medium of information, not to mention the advantages of having it for education. It does not surprise me however, that the less educated use it for its material purposes rather than its original intentions-intellectual use. Less fortunate people have a different organization of priorities, without obtaining all basic needs first (that is food, shelter, safety, acceptance etc), it is impossible to have a "self" understanding which is what educations feeds. Levels below this point all look to outer means to grow rather that internal support.
ReplyDelete-Melisa Hinojosa