RAMIFICATIONS OF DIGITAL DIVIDE…… BY LESEDI MATSANENG 16008536

DIGITAL DIVIDE IS…. The technological gap between the financially stable and the financially unstable. And even as technology becomes more affordable and internet becomes easily accessible, the “digital divide” remains.

STATISTICS OF DIGITAL DIVIDE IN AMERICA According to the 2012 Pew Report “Digital Differences,” only 62% of people in households making less than $30,000 a year used the internet, while in those making $50,000-74,999 that percentage jumped to 90. Smart phones have helped bridge the divide, as they provide internet access to populations previously at a digital disadvantage. Pew reports that, among smart phone owners, “young adults, minorities, those with no college experience, and those with lower household income levels” are more likely to access the internet primarily through their phones. There are still gaps in high-speed internet access. Only 49% of African Americans and 51% of Hispanics have high-speed internet at home, as compared with 66% of Caucasians. Internet speed has important effects on media access, especially when it comes to streaming video, so this gap is significant.

"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. 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, cell phones 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.

What is the Digital Divide and social capital 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).

How can the Government assist to solve the issues How can the Government assist to 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 How can the Government assist to 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 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.

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