New Media and the Digital Divide
New Media
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New Media In today’s society almost everything is online. Anyone can do almost anything online and it is nearly impossible to function without some kind of online access. Everything from paying bills, shopping, filing a tax return, checking your bank account or just reading a book can be done online. There are even some things that can only be done online. In San Diego and many other large cities, a police report can only be filed online. Many people own portable devices that can do everything from take pictures to playing audio and video as well as operate as a phone. Even ten years ago this type of technology was nearly unimaginable.
While much of society has unlimited access to the Internet and newer technologies, there is still a digital divide in our society. Many people cannot afford unlimited broadband internet access and the latest technology in order to keep up with the growing popularity of the internet. People with disabilities have a hard time with newer technologies not being user friendly for their disability as well. According to Jaeger, (2012) “The introduction of new technologies sees people with disabilities overlooked, omitted, neglected, and not considered” (p. 4). Even the elderly exhibit trouble with the new technologies and using the internet. As the baby boomer generation ages, our society will continue to see the generational digital gap expand. The digital divide spreads across many different factors, not only those who do have access and do not. Some people may have access but lack adequate training and others may have the skills to use such technology but not the means to benefit from it.
New technologies are introduced every year and impact people in different ways whether they are able to access the new technology or are unable to. When the first iPod was introduced, people who were still using CD’s and unable to afford the new iPod missed out on the ease that it presented and the vast
COM/300
New Media In today’s society almost everything is online. Anyone can do almost anything online and it is nearly impossible to function without some kind of online access. Everything from paying bills, shopping, filing a tax return, checking your bank account or just reading a book can be done online. There are even some things that can only be done online. In San Diego and many other large cities, a police report can only be filed online. Many people own portable devices that can do everything from take pictures to playing audio and video as well as operate as a phone. Even ten years ago this type of technology was nearly unimaginable.
While much of society has unlimited access to the Internet and newer technologies, there is still a digital divide in our society. Many people cannot afford unlimited broadband internet access and the latest technology in order to keep up with the growing popularity of the internet. People with disabilities have a hard time with newer technologies not being user friendly for their disability as well. According to Jaeger, (2012) “The introduction of new technologies sees people with disabilities overlooked, omitted, neglected, and not considered” (p. 4). Even the elderly exhibit trouble with the new technologies and using the internet. As the baby boomer generation ages, our society will continue to see the generational digital gap expand. The digital divide spreads across many different factors, not only those who do have access and do not. Some people may have access but lack adequate training and others may have the skills to use such technology but not the means to benefit from it.
New technologies are introduced every year and impact people in different ways whether they are able to access the new technology or are unable to. When the first iPod was introduced, people who were still using CD’s and unable to afford the new iPod missed out on the ease that it presented and the vast
References: Baron, S. (2012). DRIVING ACROSS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE. Journal of Housing and Community Development, 69(5), 22. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1151856456?accountid=458 Compaine, B. M. (Ed.). (2001). The digital divide: Facing a crisis or creating a myth?. The MIT Press. Crawford, S. (2011, December 3). The new digital divide. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/opinion/sunday/internet-access-and-the-new-divide.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& Herling, D. (2007). Digital divide. Montana Business Quarterly, 45(2), 12-16. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/234241662?accountid=458 Jaeger, P. T. (2012). Disability and the Internet: Confronting a digital divide. Lynne Rienner Publishers. Wood, N., & Ward, S. (2010). Stigma, secrets, and the human condition: Seeking to remedy alienation in PostSecret 's digitally mediated environment. Symbolic Interaction, 33(4), 578-602. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/si.2010.33.4.578