So after reading the two articles a few weeks ago on digital divide, I realized that there were definitely things that need to be done to help improve and lessen the technological gap between up to date countries, like America, and that of the third world countries. In class we reviewed ways in which the United States depends on these impoverished countries for their own gain. Instead of taking advantage of the poorer countries, we need to start helping these countries grow which in the long run will also benefit the economy of the US.
Luckily there have been programs established globally to help fix the digital divide. Groups such as OLD NET (http://www.oldnet.com.br/old_net_ingles/pg_inicial.htm), which has a home base in Brazil, has decided that since the average life span has increased, the older generation needs to learn how to use technology as well. There is also the Digital Equalizer program (http://www.aif.org/education/de/default.htm), which was started by the American India Foundation, which helps bring new technology and teachers to schools in India to teach the students how to use things such as computers and the Internet.
There are so many programs such as these ones and NGOs working all around the world to try and update the world on modern day technology. There is much more work that needs to be done but with the rate in which these programs are working and with their success rate, the digital divide will soon be a thing of the past.
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I hope that the efforts of NGOs are showing progress. It's sometimes hard to determine what kind of a difference is actually being made since everyone has there own statistics. I think people need to be careful about investing money in these programs that don't address more basic needs (food and water). Addressing the digital divide needs to be a secondary priority in light of the nutritional divide.
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