INTRODUCTION:

Digital divide is a term used to describe the inequality between technology haves and have nots. Sometimes, this can refer to the gaps between first world and third world countries, other times it's used to refer to differences among various population groups within an industrialized country (such as the United States). The technology being measured has been a moving target. Early news articles talked about general computer penetration among households. Then, as the Internet became more predominant, Internet access by individuals became the measure. Now, with free Internet access available through most public libraries, experts discuss the quality of access and usage. Even the term "digital divide" is controversial. "Digital" focuses attention on technology over other factors. "Divide" implies a distinct split. My opening sentence referred to haves and have nots, but can everyone really be separated into one group or the other, or is the difference more graduated?.
BODY:
Do you think that the digital divide is a major problem inside the United States: Why or why not? YES
Digital Divide in the U.S.
The Digital Divide is the gap between those who have the skills, access and resources for technology and those who do not. This divide is based on factors such as race and class. In order to have access to the Internet one must have the resource to own a computer and pay for Internet connection. Though comparatively inexpensive in the United States, the cost is still a burden that is not necessarily a necessity for those who do not make much money. The United States is the wealthiest nation in the world. The U.S. is one of the most technologically advanced countries as well. According to statistics put out by the U.S. Department of Commerce (fall, 2000), 51% of all U.S. homes had a computer; 41.5% of all U.S. homes had internet access. These statistics also show that Whites (46.1%) and Asian Americans Pacific Islanders (56.8% have Internet access over twice as much as Blacks (23.5%) and Hispanics (23.6%). Also, 86.3% of households earning $75,000 and above per year had Internet access compared to 12.7% of households earning less than $15,000 per year (1). There is apparently a link between race, class and access to technology, which supports the theory that the United States is racist and classiest..
Do you think that the digital divide is a major problem around the world? Why or why not? YES
The Global Digital Divide
"It is not lack of access to the Internet that is holding back development in Africa, India, and elsewhere in the world. Rather, it is development that is holding back the spread of the Internet, and there are a lot of things holding back development. Access to the information technology is but one."(3) Government policy is another. Cultural values and structure play a huge role in the access and skill development, as well as interest. This means technology only reaches a small portion of the world and that portion is disproportionately from North America. If we have the technology, then we have power. That is a scary thing. It means that the people who are in charge here can greatly influence the rest of the world (think about globalization, McDonaldization). If we control the technology and consequently all business, then we force some people into further poverty and reward a small few with undeserved wealth. Besides the obvious resources that are required to be on the Internet, some people simply do not feel they need to be or have other skepticism. Many people do not need technology simply because their life and culture are different than the United States. It is not necessary to be on a computer if you are not solely dependent on businesses and companies to provide you goods and services. Thus, we have the power to decide who gets information and how. Quite a democracy isn't it. "There are an estimated 429 million people online globally, but even this staggering number is small when considered in context. For example, of those 429 million, fully 41% are in North America. Also, 429 million represents only 6% of the world’s entire population"(1) Internet use within different parts of the world "Our priorities are hygiene, sanitation, safe drinking water," said Supatra Koirala who works at a private nursing home in Katmandu. "How is having access to the Internet going to change that?"(2) d is shown below. Notice the VERY small percentage of South America, Africa and the Middle East that uses the internet. .
What solutions would you propose for overcoming the digital divide? Would those solutions involve public-sector organizations, private sector organizations, or non-profit sector organizations?
Despite remarkable technological advances, and the wealth and opportunities this creates, the gap between the Internet haves and have-nots is a widening chasm. More than 80% of people in the world have never even heard a dial tone, let alone surfed the Web. Family Care Foundations Computer Literacy projects work to bridge this digital divide. We teach computer skills, install computers in needy schools and institutions, host comprehensive computer labs, and provide vocational courses. Family Care Foundation also provides both free academic education and on-the-job training in trades such as computer assembly and repair, electrical engineering, sewing and design, furniture construction and carpentry. Students also learn about people handling, teamwork, time-management, efficiency, and personal development and presentation skills. Thus, Family Care Foundation creates 21st century opportunities to equip young people to make their way in the world. And they become part of the long-term solution for the needs of their greater community. .
A Model to Close the Digital Divide:
It is a process in which a country’s IT and telecom stakeholders join together to gather information and design strategic alliances needed to attract ICT (information and communications technology) investments for low-income consumers in emerging markets on an economically sustainable basis. The approach to alliance-building, which was formulated by IT professors at Harvard and MIT, departs from normal models of business-to-business partnerships and supply-chain management common because of the important role of noncommercial partners. Influenced by the formation of a dynamic public/private partnership in Thailand, this new approach is emerging in Asia as marketers and government ministers seek the financial innovation needed to extend wireless devices and personal computers deeply into the countryside. .
What role could IT professionals and IT companies play in overcoming the digital divide?
IT Professionals and IT Companies can continue to bridge the gap on the digital divide by continuing to promote and offer training, guidance, skill, money infrastructure to help the less fortune to obtain the skills necessary to operate, own, understand technology and how this may impact society and to understand their place in society.
CONCLUSION:
Access to computers and the Internet and the ability to effectively use this technology are becoming increasingly important for full participation in America’s economic, political and social life. People are using the Internet to find lower prices for goods and services, work from home or start their own business, acquire new skills using distance learning, and make better informed decisions about their healthcare needs. The ability to use technology is becoming increasingly important in the workplace, and jobs in the rapidly growing information technology sector pay almost 80 percent more than the average private sector wage. Technology, used creatively, can also make a big difference in the way teachers teach and students learn. In some classrooms, teachers are using the Internet to keep up with the latest developments in their field, exchange lesson plans with their colleagues, and communicate more frequently with parents. Students are able to log on to the Library of Congress to download primary documents for a history paper, explore the universe with an Internet-connected telescope used by professional astronomers, and engage in more active "learning by doing." Students are also creating powerful Internet-based learning resources that can be used by other students -- such as award-winning Web sites on endangered species, the biology of sleep, human perception of sound, and an exploration of the American judicial system. Access to computers and the Internet has exploded during the Clinton-Gore Administration. Unfortunately, there is strong evidence of a "digital divide" -- a gap between those individuals and communities that have access to these Information Age tools and those who don’t. In some instances, this divide is actually widening. A July 1999 report from the Department of Commerce, based on December 1998 Census Department data, revealed that:

REFERENCES: http://www.earlham.edu/~beckmst/DigitalDivide/DigitalDivideUS.htm http://www.earlham.edu/~bekmst/DigitalDivide/DDGlobal.htm http://www.osmond-riba.org/lis/DigDivide.htm http://www.family-care-foundation.com http://www.digtaldivide.org/dd/design.html http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/New/digitaldivide/digital3.html

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[ 1 ]. http://www.osmond-riba.org/lis/DigDivide.htm
[ 2 ]. http://www.earlham.edu/~beckmst/DigitalDivide/DigitalDivideUS.htm
[ 3 ]. http://www.earlham.edu/~beckmst/DigitalDivide/DigitalDivideUS.htm
[ 4 ]. http://www.earlham.edu/~bekmst/DigitalDivide/DDGlobal.htm
[ 5 ]. http://www.family-care-foundation.com
[ 6 ]. http://www.digtaldivide.org/dd/design.html
[ 7 ]. http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/New/digitaldivide/digital3.html