Digital Divide - A Look into Internet use Everywhere

Image Source: Google Images

If you’re reading this, congratulations, you are one of the more privileged people on this planet, lucky enough to be currently accessing the internet.

I’ll admit I’ve always been one who tends to live in my own little bubble, I never really think much about the parts of the world that I’m not directly involved in. When I’m out and about I see just about everyone with a cellphone, when I sit in class most people pull out their laptops, and assumptions are made that their devices are connected to the internet. You take things for granted when you have access to them all the time.

The internet is an extremely powerful tool. Now more than ever because of the internet we are able to share and connect with others around the world within seconds. In more developed places like here in North America we have become dependent on the internet for just about everything these days.

Image Source: Google Images

“WWW” may stand for “World Wide Web”, however, not everyone in the world can access the internet on the regular like we can. Global, geographic, generational, economic, physical, and knowledge are all factors when it come to accessing the internet.

As of January 2017, it would appear that North America has 88% internet penetration, whereas in places like Africa only 29% of people are internet users.

Image Source: Google Images

Globally there is only 50% internet penetration, and only 37% of people globally are active social media users.

Image Source: Google Images

Here in Ontario, 94% have access to the internet. And of those people who don’t use the internet more than half simply just choose not to use it. Also, in Ontario only about a quarter of people at the age of 74 or older use the internet. Again, this is something else I never realized, I skype my grandparents almost every weekend. But it makes sense though people age and technology grows, it’s hard to always be caught up.

Image Source: Google Images

Even when I go home to my parents, only about one hour west from Toronto, there are very limited options for internet providers and rather poor phone service. This is because it’s a rural area. Urban areas get the more modern and fast internet access, but rural areas not so much. Why? Because it would cost more to get internet all the way out there for just a few people. And Since you have limited options living in these rural areas you are often forced to pay higher prices if you want internet, and perhaps these high prices make you choose to go without it.

Image Source: Google Images

People with disabilities. Again, another factor I really think about when I’m living in my bubble, not everyone has the abilities you do. For those of you, like myself, who are posting content on the internet be mindful of others. Just because you think "Earwig Factory" is a really cool font, doesn’t mean you should use it. Stick to more basic legible fonts, or give users the option to change it. Post an image? If that person has really poor internet they may never see it, try using descriptive text. Post a video? Add subtitles for the hearing impaired. Colours are fun addition that can spice up your post, but be careful that they aren’t too distracting or difficult to read for those who are colourblind.

Image Source: Google Images

So next time (or right now, since you must be accessing the internet since you are reading this), take a little more appreciation when you’re surfing the web. Are we just spoiled or should internet access be a human right?

Image Source: Google Images