Bridging the Digital Divide

A topic that came up in class many times and also appeared in some of the readings was the term “digital divide”. Since we are all familiar with this term I will not go into detail about when it means, but instead look at how it applies to my Blog. One of the main arguments that arose when talking about how to close the digital divide was by the use of cell phones. It was suggested and argued that cell phones might be the easiest and cheapest way to bring everyone around the world together regardless of how rural or suburban or remote the area was in which people were living and close the digital divide. Basically cell phones would be used to bring everyone together form different communities through technology.

I agree that there needs to be some way to close the gap in the digital divide and that if the whole world could stay connected by the same technology it would benefit all sorts of communities and not leave anyone behind in this fast growing digital world which we live in.

I agree with the argument that cell phones might be the answer to how we close the digital divide. Cell phones are one of the most inexpensive powerful technologies that we have today. For under $300 people have access to calling anyone regardless of how far away they are or what country they are living in. With cell phones, people have access to the internet without the hassle of a bulky computer that needs to be close to a Wi-Fi tower. With the compact size of a cell phone, the easy usability they have for new time users, and the low cost seem like a better option than modern computers. Although modern computers are capable of doing harder more complex tasks than cell phones, we need to think simple. IF we are trying to close the digital divide, we are simply trying to bring enough technology to everyone which would enable them to stay connected with people and access the internet, the breeding place for new technology information. People who have never seen a computer or a cell phone before, or simple do not have the money to afford to wire their community up with broadband do not need the latest, best, and most powerful sources of technology.

Closing the digital divide needs to be done with a technology with the capabilities of communicating with people around the world, internet access to simple websites, (web 2.0 would appear simpler with just text and pictures instead of videos and flash) portable, small, and easy to use, and also has to be low cost, and most practical. Since so many people have cell phones today, I feel that cell phones are the key to closing the digital divide. Not a lot would have to change to how these phones are made or how they work since most of them now are 3G and function on satellites. Although computers are more powerful, they are too expensive, bulky, and require too much construction in places that don’t already have these kinds of technologies (such as cable internet connections). Cell phones seem to the key to closing the digital divide. Although they are not perfect, cell phones seem to answer more of the requirements for closing such a divide than other technologies that commonly exist today.

This graph shows the number of people who use a certain media technology. Cellphones are used the most followed by T.Vs. About half as many people use P.Cs than Cellphones, and this was only in 2006. I know I didn't get my cellphone until 2007. This shows more people have cellphones than computers wich strengthens my argument about cellphones bridging the divide easier than computers since more people have cellphones.

This shows the grwoing rate of people buying cellphones. As time goes on, more and more people are using cellphones. Itis now becoming a device that everyone has, as oppsed to being rare if you knew someone who has a cellphone.

This graph shows the number of smart phones (cellphones that can access the internet) in various regions around the world. Rural places don't just have phones that make calls, but also phones that can got on the internet and keep their users connected with others around the world.

This graph shows cellphone developements around the world as opposed to other technology medias. On a globas aspect, the numbers for cellphones being developed is much higher than other technologies such as fixed telephone lines, broadband lines, and internet users.