Digital divides.

I am writing this blog in my media workshop today, Simon has decided to give us some time to create the blogs. We have been asked to look at and discuss Digital divides.

We have been given a handout which states that Digital Divides refers to the split between those who have access to digital tools and the Internet and those who don't. This term has come to be discussed in reference to a number of percieved situations of inequality.

The Digital divide can be arranged based on gender, income and race groups, and by location. It refers to gaps in ownership of, or regular access to, a computer. As access to internet became a central part of computing, the terms usage shifter, it now refers to not only gaps in computers but also access to the internet.

Looking at The idea of the Social divide. After some searching, and help from Simon. I found a great case study on govcom.org it looks at the two internet servers in The United Arab Emirate. It shows how the majority of people within The United Arab Emirates have restricted internet access, only allowing them to access things that the government want them to see. In Dubai, it is seen as a more western side of the country and therefore the restriction is much less. Allowing them to access almost anything they wish through their internet server. The thought of one country having two internet servers, both being very different and allowing two completely different types of internet browsing is quite strange, we would think one rule would fit all? Most of UAE is serviced by Etisalat which is 70% dial up, whereas Dubai is servised DIC-NET which is a broadband server.

Govcom.org tried the internet server that had the restrictions built into it to see if there was a way of gaining access to the things that were banned. It showed that the thing that were banned were things such as, websites containing alcohol and drugs, dating and Gay and Lesbian websites. It looks to me as though the restrictions could have a link to religion. It seems that many of the things that are blocked are also things that are frowned upon by their religion.

Another example of Social divide I have also found is a study done by National Telecommunications and Information Administration, within this study it shows that People with a disability are only half as likely to have access to the Internet as those without a disability, 21.6% compared to 42.1%.
They also look at how different races and ethnic origins within households have different internet access. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have maintained the highest level of home Internet access at 56.8%. Blacks and Hispanics, at the other end spectrum experience lowest household internet rates at 23.5% and 23.6%, respectively.

There are large Global divides in developed and non developed countries. In many developed counties, the growth of broadband is largely due to competition and declining prices, it is also made possible thanks to available infrastructure. The main digital divides are quite relevant in areas, including fixed-line telephone connections, broadband and mobile phone telecommunications. Less developed countries are catching up but are still quite far behind.
However, mobile phone markets in many low-income countries in Asia and Africa record the strongest growth, with India being the world's fastest-growing market.