Across Canada and around the world, people are working hard to bridge the digital divide and foster digital equity. Here’s a quick snapshot of five areas around the globe, viewed through media coverage amongst a few other sources.
Quick take-aways:
- The bulk of the focus is on the internet which, indeed, is a major issue. But attention to the computers, IT and digital literacy needed at the end of a high-speed internet connection is arguably not receiving as much attention. What we do see largely stems from articles on pandemic-related education issues
- Non-profits are leading the charge
- One of the unseen gaps is not income-related, or geographical; it’s gender-related. We’ll visit this topic in-depth in the future
CANADA
CANADA’S COMPUTERS FOR SCHOOLS PLUS PROGRAM
In 2019, the Government of Canada created the Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+ ) program to make it even easier for youth and under-represented groups to access the internet and acquire the skills and training needed to work in today’s digital economy.
Computers for Schools Plus – Home – Computers for Schools (ic.gc.ca)
CALLS FOR ACTION IN THE NORTH
A recent op-ed piece in the Edmonton Journal speaks exactly to internet needs in remote northern Canada:
Opinion: The North needs more equitable, accessible Internet | Edmonton Journal
DIGITAL NWT AND INDIGENOUS ACCESS
The Northwest Territories are particularly challenged by poor internet access. DigitalNWT.ca is led by the Gwich’in Tribal Council, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Sahtú Renewable Resources Board, and the Tłı̨chǫ Government. With a variety of partners including the University of Alberta, they are working together to increase both access and digital literacy.
THE YEGUILD
Edmonton-based non-profit YEGuild advocates for better connectivity in Northern Alberta as well provide training programs and services designed to assist and support the creation, education, and promotion of independent new technology entrepreneurs in Northern Alberta.
YEGuild – Bridging the Digital Divide
REVIEW OF THE STATE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN CANADA’S NORTH
Internet and other communications largely fall to one for-profit provider in the north. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is currently reviewing the framework that provider operates under.
Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2020-367 | CRTC
MEDIA CALLS TO ACTION
Canadian news media is full of op-ed articles challenging large provider pricing. Opinions across Canada vary, here’s what some advocates are saying
Enough is Enough: National Day of Action Demands Affordable Internet for Canadians (newswire.ca)
THE INTERNET IS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT COMPUTER ACCESS
Articles like the one below are cropping up in every Canadian jurisdiction. This one from Manitoba sums up what most of them have to say.
Lack of computers, internet access exposes shortfall of at-home learning in Manitoba | CBC News
THE PHILIPPINES
WORLD BANK REPORT
The World Bank reports that despite being relatively technologically advanced, huge gaps in access exist in the Philippines. The Philippines ranks low in connectivity and report age gaps in digital literacy larger than the worldwide average.
MEDIA SNAPSHOT—THE PHILLIPINES
The above issues, as illustrated by media in the Philippines
Different aspects of the digital divide – The Manila Times
Big divide in internet use in Philippines by age, education level – report (rappler.com)
Philippines faces ‘learning crisis’ after yearlong school shutdown (phys.org)
AFRICA
INTERTWINED ISSUES—A MEDIA SNAPSHOT
It’s important to note that the beauty and vitality of African life is often overshadowed in the West by our coverage of poverty and conflict. That said, the issues being fought around the world also exist there, and sometimes manifest differently. Often, technology poverty and digital divide issues are wrapped in a package that includes food scarcity, access to electricity infrastructure and more.
Cyber Heroines: Changing the Future for African Girls | Africanews
Why Hasn’t Africa Gone Digital? – Scientific American
Lack of Computers and Insufficient Training (developafrica.org)
The promises and perils of Africa’s digital revolution (brookings.edu)
How technology could promote growth in 5 African countries – MCGH (microsoftcaregh.com)
Can mobile broadband reduce poverty in Africa? – Developing Telecoms
The state of funding in Africa’s tech landscape – Punch Newspapers (punchng.com)
Techbuild.africa Innovation | Startups | Funding | Tech Blog In Africa
South Africa’s best universities to study technology and engineering (businesstech.co.za)
INDIA
MEDIA SNAPSHOT—ALL THE USUAL PROBLEMS PLUS WIDE GENDER GAPS
In India, the fight confronts many of the same issues as around the world, but a scan of media articles reveals heightened focus on gender discrimination
Bridging digital divide: Efforts in India – ScienceDirect
India’s on a digital sprint that is leaving millions behind – BBC News
Internet & the big Indian gender divide : The Tribune India
Opinion | The gender digital divide (livemint.com)
To transform the world, teach girls technology (fortuneindia.com)
UNITED STATES
The fight to end technology poverty in the United States bears many similarities to what is happening in Canada, though there is evidence that heightened racial tension and political divisions acerbate the problem and make finding solutions more difficult.
OVERVIEW TO THE US DIGITAL DIVIDE
As journalistic sources, one must always be careful pulling possibly-dated or unsubstantiated information from Wikipedia, but this page serves as a good overview of the US approach at a national level.
Digital divide in the United States – Wikipedia
Americas Digital Divide | The Pew Charitable Trusts (pewtrusts.org)
AN OFFICIAL NATIONAL STANCE
Like its Canadian counterpart (the CRTC), the US’ Federal Communications Commission has taken a position on the Digital Divide, and outlines the steps it is taking here:
Bridging The Digital Divide For All Americans | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)
COMPUTER SHORTAGES FOR STUDENTS
It’s difficult to say without true statistical analysis, but computer access for students seems to be receiving more media play than it does in Canada.
Laptop shortage amid coronavirus threatens back-to-school plans (usatoday.com)
The Digital Divide Starts With a Laptop Shortage – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
How AllHere’s Joanna Smith Is Tackling America’s Education Problem | Forbes – Forbes Africa
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