A “digital divide” refers to the gap between those who are able to have access to the computing technology and those who don’t. Due to the numerous statistics that have been conducted, it is obvious that there are a number of counties/ countries who do not have access to the Internet. This particular idea proves that the digital divide exists. Researchers differ in their opinions as to whether or not digital divides are permanent, growing, or important. A specific example of the digital divide in the textbook was when the television and telephone were first introduced; there was a wide gap of those who have the technology and those who don’t. When it came to the telephone, the gap may have been based upon economics and whether or not telephone lines were available at the time. Televisions, on the other hand, had a gap that was primarily economic, although there were areas in North America that could not receive any form of over-the-air broadcasts. However, as the cost of televisions and telephone service started to decline, the gap between those who had the technologies and those who didn’t started to decline.
After reading the section in the book about digital divides, I found that there are numerous disadvantages for those who do not have technology access. Your access to employment opportunities that are posted online, ability to apply for jobs that require resumes to be emailed, ability to have jobs that require technology skills, access to up-to-date news, access to potential markets, access to a wide range of products and merchandisers, and access to research information.
Over the years, I have found that there are many countries that no longer have issues with digital divide after the media market has expanded the way it has. I’m sure that there are still numerous countries that do not have access to these products, but at some point in time, they should be able to find a way to get these products. I’m sure that if all countries had access to the internet, then maybe they would be able to understand the importance of staying healthy and how to avoid certain diseases. The internet may just be the thing these countries need in order to have this information.
