Digitally Divided Canada

Presently, the world experiences a study and fundament transformation to begin with because of tuition and technological revolution. nearly everyday, history witnesses the birth of grittyly sophisticated gadgets and equipments that clear literally altered the lives of homoy individuals. Nowadays, the hindrances brought nigh by geographical, spatial and time constraints, no longer furbish up mankind. In a blink of an eye, tasks which usually grow several days or months to be sodding(a) tail end be pronto addressed with lone(prenominal) if a single click.Evidently, Marshall McLuhans fantasy of the global village (Baran & Davis, 2006) is no longer a theoretical argumentthe global village has right away developed, thus making each and every individual, disregarding of their age, social status, race and ethnicity to a greater extent connected and synergistic than ever. Relatively, the establishment of the schooling superhighway did non entirely increase the joining of different groups and communities. More than any intimacy else, such(prenominal) incident is instrumental in opening the doors for various(a) opportunities for growth and development within the national level.Canada for example, experience a major economic shift with the launch of Information and Communications Technology, or more popularly known s ICT (Canadas Journey, 2003). A estate which was once heavily dependent on its naval and agricultural resources, is now capitalizing on the benefits and proceedss of their so-called intimacy economy (Canadas Journey, 2003). As a librate of fact, the country is supposeed as one of the well-nigh belligerent forces within the information technology industry (Canadas Journey, 2003).However, while it is true that technology fueled Canadas economic expansion, one of the pressing issues that the country ineluctably to confront is digital divide. Digital divide is a serious social concern that sack non be nevertheless describe d as a battle surrounded by those who atomic number 18 considered as technologically rich and technologically poor. More than anything else, the implications of digital divide head for the hills to land to the worsening of the social, economic and cultural gap. These kinds of division ar most especially snarl amongst folksy and urban settlers.If technology is said to govern mans life, clearly, those who shtupnot fully avail of modern withalls and equipment ar too denied of exploiting technologys benefits. Evidently, those that ar support in the unsophisticated bea atomic number 18 placed in very uncompromising postures in as faraway as being digitally-connected is concern. Given this situation at hand, one may readily ask, how does digital divide affect the marginalization of verdant settlers in Canada? For this particular discussion, the statistics presented in the Canadian Social Trends and The occasional was primarily used.Information in such sites is hig hly meaning(a) since it essentially provides a wider view on how the building block Canadian populace utilizes the mesh do work. However, the above-mentioned sites do not only dabble with meshwork usage alone. They overly provided substantial discussions regarding the handiness of personal computers in both(prenominal) outlandish and urban Canada. On the other hand, another(prenominal) major source that is used to support the arguments of this handle is the E- governing body studies of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and education (OECD).In OECD, however, the facts presented ar comparisons of meshing usage in the global scale. Such information is therefore necessary to be included in this analysis since it presents an overview on how far Canada has fared when it shines to global connectedness and how its current situation contributes to the digital divide go through by the country. In recognizeing digital divide in Canada, it is highly important to count erbalance understand how information technology works in the country.It is overly impetus to know the percentages of individuals who stack readily recover to withstand a substantial articulation of the matter. In appendage to that, the inputs from the OECD contribute in a untold deeper examination of how digital divide affects not only Canada, but in like manner in other separate of the world. This Mc Laren (2002) discussed that mostly of the individuals who own computers are locate in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) and Census Agglomerations (CA). This is in stark contrast to those who are residing in folksy and small towns.More than 50 to 60% of those living in CMAs and CAs have computers at home, whereas, only 40 to 50% of those in the rude areas posses such equipment (please push to underframe 1 of Appendix). There are two designers that can possibly explain this particular situation. First, it can be argued in here that urban settings can advantageously adapt to m ajor technological shifts and transformations. This would not come as oftentimes of a surprise since major cities and areas are considered as the center of commerce and trade. In an area looming with various job opportunities, the use of an economical technological platform is a must.Business endeavors that aspire to be globally competitive must take advantage of technologys positive effects and contributions. Thus, individuals in this area become more aware about the uses and purposes of any technologically-related clobber. Another reason behind that is the high purchasing power of urban settlers. Suppliers of high-end technological products readily targets consumers in the city since they know that highly alter areas can provide them with a potent market place base. On the other hand, as for the case of homespun residents, digital connectedness seems to fall short.This primarily stems from the active income discrepancies between the two groups. McLaren (2002) found out th at those who suck less than $20,000 in rural areas can barely afford to have their own computer. Only 20% (please refer to Figure 2 of Appendix) of rural settlers are capable of purchasing personal computers. However, for urban dwellers who also earn less than $20,000, more than 30% (please refer to Figure 2 of Appendix) of the population has their own computers . The uniform situation is reflected as for the case of those who are earning beyond $20,000.Based from a critical perspective, if Canadians in rural are literally outnumbered when it comes to having access to computers, then it is also congener that is harder for them to acquire internet access as well. period it is true that individuals from both rural and urban areas tend to have the same income, the availability of computers in cities is more prevalent compared to small towns. This means that an urban dweller, disrespect of the fact that he or she earns less than $20,000, can bland own a computer primarily because in the city, one can always muster cheaper alternatives.Computer providers in such areas are engaged into a stiff competition that compels them to lower their prices so that they can tap their potential markets. On the other hand, the availability of computer suppliers in rural areas is less than those in highly urbanized ones. Competition is hardly felt and therefore, these suppliers can demand their prices. Relatively, computers sold in rural sectors are literally more expensive than those that are found in the city.Given this aspect at hand, if Canadians in rural areas cannot avail of the basic equipment or material used in connecting via the internet, then it would be harder for them to put down into the digital world. It would be more arduous for these individuals to be updated on recent technological trends and developments. In sum to that, the lack of computers also prevents these individuals from making the most of Canadas robust fellowship economy. Also, it is importa nt to note that computers straight off cannot only assist Canadians in connecting through the internet.Computers are also instrumental in making work processes and transactions much faster and easier as compared to manual work. One must always bear in mind that digital divide does not merely focus on the capacity to connect online it is also the ability of owning the required technological platforms or materials. In the meantime, in as far as internet access is concerned, thus, it would not come as too much of a surprise of urban households are more connected. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2003), from 1999 to 2001, 33.6% of rural homes in Canada have internet connection, whereas a total of 44. 4% of urban settlers enthrall internet services (please see of Appendix). There is no head that the internet is a good source of knowledge and information. Relevant data and statistics found in the humanity Wide Web contribute to empowering and e ducating individuals. However, with the current situation of rural Canada, they are unvarnishedly left behind. start out for example the case of students which primarily uses the internet for look aid and purposes.The ones located in urban areas enjoy the benefits of acquiring significant facts and figures that cannot be ordinarily seen in local libraries and other academic sources. Individuals in the urban areas are also able to exploit government services via the internet. It is also important to note that online argumentation opportunities are easily accessed by urban residents since they have the tool to do so. Apparently, the digital divide tends to chuck out individuals from the rural sector from using technology to just empower themselves and seek for other opportunities for growth and development.There is an evident inequality in digital divide that basically originates from the unequal distribution of wealth and power. More than anything else, it should be always reme mbered that only those who have access to a wide array of providers and are financially fitting to act into the digital arena, are the ones who are most likely to benefit from them. Relatively, these two conditions (access to providers and financial adequacy) are commonly found in metropolitan areas. Income difference is indeed a key factor in the proliferation of digital divide and marginalization of rural Canada.As a matter of fact, one of the primary reasons that prohibit Canadians in rural areas from utilizing the internet is the costs associated with it (McLaren, 2002). The other reason corresponds to the absence of necessary skills and training (McLaren, 2002). In addition to that the geographical economic conditions of rural sectors in Canada are also important factors in analyzing digital divide and its implications. Transforming small towns into a digitally active corporation translates to building the necessary infrastructures.Thus, in as far as internet and communicati on providers are concerned an area should be highly feasible for business operations and profitability before they finally consider the idea of building internet-related structures (Siegan & Walzer, 2003). Unfortunately, if the concerned area does not qualify to the business needs of providers, then digital connectedness is less likely to grow and flourish. non unless the Canadian government creates yet another solid and concrete plan to establish technological infrastructures in rural domains, then people living in these areas would remain digitally left behind.The effects of digital divide in rural Canada however cannot be only felt on the economic disadvantages of rural residents. diversion from the tacit or unconscious information monopoly of those that are technologically rich, there is also an apparent(a) exclusion of the technologically inept from participating in issues that require utmost concerns (Jones, 2003). For how can somebody participate if he or she is not well-i nformed? Aside from that, rural residents are somehow denied of articulating their interests, views and opinions.It is no incomprehensible that the internet provides forums and sites wherein participants can express their sentiments and generate contingent solutions. It is through the net that groups with similar orientations converge. However, it is pretty difficult for rural settlers to be involved if in the first place, they are not that digitally connected. Another thing to be considered is that the digital divide tends to delimit rural Canada from availing the services of the government on an easier pace (Marshall, Taylor & Yu, 2003). The government use of internet is indeed commendable.However, this would be still useless if not the majority of the populace can readily utilize it. Digital divide between urban and rural residents require immediate action. The opportunities brought out by technology should not be exceptional into very few hands. If there is anyone who must b e technologically empowered, it is no other than the ones in rural settings primarily because they are the ones who really need it, not the other way around. In as much as technological infrastructures are progressively ceremonious in urban areas, then more efforts should be exerted in the rural sectors.