Currently we live in a world where digital technologies have invaded every aspect of our lives and changed the nature of learning - how, where and when learning takes place - by making new kinds of knowledge available. Within our contemporary world, if individuals have limited or no access to or knowledge of digital technologies and the Internet, then their capacity to fully contribute to, and benefit from society and the economy is reduced. Essentially these individuals are placed at a disadvantage to other members of society. Thus access to digital technologies and the Internet can intensify social divisions, by enabling those educated individuals who have easy digital technology and Internet access to take up life long learning opportunities and become information rich in comparison to those less educated individuals who have no or limited access to digital technologies and the Internet who evidently become information poor (McNair 2000).
Digital Divide Cycle
derived from McNair (2000)
derived from McNair (2000)
It is important to understand what the digital divide represents, in order to help bridge the gap by implementing national and global strategies that distribute information and knowledge among the information rich and information poor more evenly. In effect by bridging the digital divide, we are increasing the employment opportunities of the information poor by helping them overcome social and cultural inequalities (Kelley-Salinas 2000).
As such digital technologies and the Internet should broaden and enhance economic and educational opportunities, rather than increase social inequalities. The following extract from the G-8 Okinawa Charter (2000) emphasises the importance of digital technologies within society.
'Our vision of an information society is one that better enables people
to fulfill their potential and realise their aspirations. To this end we must
ensure IT serves the mutually supportive goals of creating sustainable
economic growth, enhanced economic growth, enhancing the public
welfare, and fostering the social cohesion, and work to fully realise its
potential to strengthen democracy, increase transparency and
accountability in governance, promote human rights, enhance cultural
diversity, and to foster international peace and stability'
As such digital technologies and the Internet should broaden and enhance economic and educational opportunities, rather than increase social inequalities. The following extract from the G-8 Okinawa Charter (2000) emphasises the importance of digital technologies within society.
'Our vision of an information society is one that better enables people
to fulfill their potential and realise their aspirations. To this end we must
ensure IT serves the mutually supportive goals of creating sustainable
economic growth, enhanced economic growth, enhancing the public
welfare, and fostering the social cohesion, and work to fully realise its
potential to strengthen democracy, increase transparency and
accountability in governance, promote human rights, enhance cultural
diversity, and to foster international peace and stability'
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