Digital Divide 2 Kristen Welsh Nick Mowbray Jordan Russell

The Divide Defined n A gap in technology n percentage of Americans with computers versus those without them n measurable differences in ownership of computers, access to information technology, and baseline indicators of Internet- connectedness [that] have powerfully illuminated the gulf between the elite and marginal groups”

The Divide Defined (cont) n -“ it usually boils down to a common package of household PC ownership, individual literacy, and good internet access”

Domestic Divide n an issue of concern arises, solving the problem relies heavily on evaluating the causes n the three main socioeconomic factors, race, location and wealth are responsible for creating and maintaining this divide in society

Race n although the divide seems to be closing slowly, large gaps still remain for blacks and Hispanics n In September 2001, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey collected information on approximately 57,000 households and 137,000 individuals in America

Race (cont) n - National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the Economics and Statistics Administration examined the results of this survey and found shocking statistics

Statistics on Race n Statistics from 1998 show that on average whites earned $81,700 yearly, while blacks earned $10,000 per year and Hispanics had a yearly income of only $3,000 n while 61.1% of whites in America have computers, only 37.1% of African Americans and 40.0% of Hispanics have computers in their homes.

Statistics on Race (cont) n The same article by the NTIA provides percentages of Americans with Internet access in other words who has a computer and who is signing online n These numbers were about 6% to 8% lower n For example, 61.1% of whites have computers, while only 55.4% have Internet access and only 32% of Hispanics "surf" the web

Location n the gap lies between people who live in rural areas versus those that live in urban areas and central cities n percentages were not extremely higher or lower for one area as opposed to another, the statistics were consistent

Location (cont) n - people who live in urban areas, regardless of race, are more likely to have computers and Internet access n rural areas are most affected by the divide

Wealth n The third, and biggest, factor that fuels the divide is wealth –-“that wealth, especially in the Unites States”, is distributed in massively unequal fashion” –- about 5.5%, or about 7.9 million people, are currently unemployed, there are million Americans who receive a constant income

Wealth (cont) n income that is extremely unevenly distributed n According to the bureau of labor statistics, part of the US Department of Labor, as of 2001 the average weekly earnings were about $278 per week.

Statistics on Wealth n the top 1% of Americans have an average net worth of $10, 204,000 and the next 4% earn $1,441,000 n net earnings of the middle 20%, earning $61,000, and the bottom 40% with a net worth of only $900

Statistics on Wealth (cont) –the percentage of Americans with computers rises exponentially with wealth –example, 19.2% of Americans earning under $9,999 have computers, while 64.3% of those earning around $49,999 yearly have access, and 89.0% of $75,000+ class own computers

So what’s so bad about the divide? n enforced a separation between the wealthy and the poor n More importantly, through wealth, the divide has stereotyped minorities in the US

So what’s so bad about the divide? (cont) n “continuing digital divide [portrays minorities] as techno phobic charity cases who lack desire to adopt new technologies of their own” n disable success in an online-based society

Cont. n students are learning at younger ages how to use computers as means to learn, research, create and have fun n new programs have been designed to help teach children more efficiently and effectively ( For example, a simulation program called Thinkertools aids children learning concepts of acceleration and velocity)

Cont. n Studies suggested that students using this program were able to outperform physics students not using it – -these children, upon graduation, will have an unfair advantage n “only about 22% of children in families with annual income less than $20,000 had access to a home computer in 1998, compared to 91% of those families with annual incomes of more than $75,000

Cont. n without computer skills it is hard to survive in a corporate world built on technology n Without an educated body of youth prepared to meet the global labor force’s needs, a country is relegated to painfully slow progress as more productive and well-paying jobs are sent elsewhere

What’s Next? n Is bridging the domestic divide the end of our problems? n the digital divide is a problem in our society with many possible negative effects n bridging the divide extends way beyond problems in our own country, the digital divide is a worldwide problem

International Divide n Divide lies between developed and undeveloped countries n The gap is growing more and more each year

Background n Accurate statistics on who is using the internet and from where are difficult to obtain n Recent estimates have shown that there are approximately 275 million people online –only 4% of the world’s population

Background (cont) n Just 3% of the world's internet users live in South America. n There reportedly are more internet users in New York City than in the entire continent of Africa –African population: 761 million –New York population: 7.4 million

3 Main Problem Areas nAnAfrica nSnSouth America nMnMiddle East

Difficulties in Closing the Divide n These regions are generally poor and do not have resources to afford IT (information technology) n Priorities over IT systems –disease –hunger –war –unstable governments

Culture n Many cultures are not accepting of modern technology n Do not even know of the internet’s existence n Offering the whole world a phone and a computer screen will not in itself help bridge the digital divide –there are 30 African countries that have less than one telephone line for every 100 people

Language n 87% of the Internet is written in English n Without the luxury of a quality education system, there is no conceivable way to learn English

Ways to Close the Divide n 4 Pillars –stable government to facilitate proper environment for advancement –make the internet affordable and accessible –human element –acceptance into the e-commerce community

Why Help? n Humanitarian reasons n What’s good for the global economy is good for us n Disease tracking n Give smaller nations a global voice

Decreasing the digital divide through wireless communication n Can be found through the use of new brands that market –Desirable services –Fashionable devices –Reasonable prices

Desirable Services n Instant Messaging n “Family to Family” concept n Personalizing ring tones n “Do it all” phone

Fashionable Devices nDnDetachable face plates nCnCellular phone sizes nCnColorful lights

Reasonable Prices n Rates n Per-minute charges n Free roaming n Free nights and weekends n All-inclusive plans

Conclusion n The largest problem that the boom in cellular sales is causing is the divide that it is creating between countries like America, Europe and Asia and the countries that yet alone don’t even have ground telephone communication.