Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Implications of the Digital Divide from Participation Gaps and the affect of Mobility in Future Years

Personally, I believe that there is a "digital divide" because of a past generational "participation gap" that has lingered over to following generations. The "digital divide" is extremely evident in parts of society today and is sometimes seen through people and companies capitalizing on it. This ability to adapt on certain technologies is in our nature and something that should not be resisted. But unfortunately, there has been "outcasts" to what is considered normal (though abstractly) and those tended to be the worse off in history. In short, what I am trying to say is that this digital divide will lead/ is leading to a bigger participation gap and will most likely make people more unemployed and on the lower side of socio-economic status.
It is already evident that much of the participation gap has set in just by the evolving characteristics of everyday life. We have single mothers and fathers, grandparents raising grandchildren, and other circumstances that do not always allow a ready access to technology. This can be for either monetary or time reasons. It seems as though your socio-economic status directly effects how you use the internet and other mobile or technological devices. 
Depending on how the next three to five years go for our economy I could see the gap and divide shrink or widen in certain aspects. In relation to what I read, The State of the 2012 Election- Mobile Politics by the PEW Research Center, there is going to be a definite change in how people use mobility towards not only their life, but also politics and elections.
In the research, it was found that 88% of all registered voters have a cell phone and about 75% use texting and about 50% have a smartphone. These remarkably high percentages suggest that cell phone usage has surpassed a certain point where it can be used in politics. Because of the amount of people that have a cell phone and can receive texts or other media on their phone, it serves as a new outlet for politics.
But the prime thing that I believe will change in the next 3-5 years is the usage and implementation of smartphones. Though only about half of all registered voters have a smartphone, there is an undeniable shift occurring that is making the primary phone be only smart and not basic. In the market, for instance, all advertising and push for products is toward smartphones. It seems as though basic cell phones are being produced less and less to almost force a buyer to purchase a smartphone. This has major implications for the participation gap. Due to money, people might not be able to afford smartphones and thus, miss out on a new and evolving part of political campaigns and elections. These people are the same who already have disparities through computers and other technologies, and most likely living situations as well. Though the usage and implementation of technology is seen as a positive to pioneer the future, it is sometimes forgotten that not everyone can adapt and be a part of this creation.

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