#copingwiththenewnormal

[blueberryarts18]

Bridging the “gap” of Digital Divide

COVID-19 has indeed affected everyone’s lives around the world. We are forced to stay in our homes in Quarantine, follow safety protocols, avoid physical distancing, and many more. People are willing to conform and equip technology into their lives by adjusting to this ‘New Normal’. In reality, who is really ready for this unexpected change? This pandemic has shown some light on our country’s digital divide. Digital divide is described as a “gap” found between individual’s social classes, businesses, and even countries with different socioeconomic backgrounds and their ability to access and use information communications technology. According to a report by the World Bank and the National Economic and Development Authority (2020). The gaping digital divide in the Philippines is preventing more Filipinos from harnessing the benefits of digital technologies. It is said that around 60 percent of Filipino households do not have access to the Internet. It is unfair to some people that they cannot have access to the Internet like other privileged citizens, as it is necessary to gain digital knowledge to be able to cope and adapt easily to our new normal. So, despite quarantine and physical distancing, we are still connected with each other through the Internet.

 It is important to bridge this “gap” because it will have a positive impact on our country and people coping with this new normal. According to Steele C. (2018), Various initiatives we need to engage to narrow the digital gap includes Increasing digital literacy; Provide operational incentives to information and communication technology entities; Develop relevant and local content in addition to telecommunications infrastructure; Encourage the establishment of cyber clubs; Establishment of workable partnerships between all information and communication technology stakeholders and; Promote innovations geared towards overcoming the digital divide. The upcoming generation will likely to adapt in the new normal easily if we bridge this “gap”, because they will be provided with better access to technology, and various learning tools available on the internet so that they can have the quality information they deserve. This, will hopefully diminish the gap between the rich and the poor in the future, and benefit our country and people in progressing through the new normal.

Source:

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/10/06/huge-digital-divide-blunts-phls-gains-from-technology/

http://www.digitaldividecouncil.com/how-to-bridge-the-digital-divide/?fbclid=IwAR1_oWtAHfa_qMpP3vRq9jvMuYzgJdl169RxISrewsB2IMfSNg4-m103B40

Photo source: https://constanttherapyhealth.com/brainwire/icymi-closing-the-digital-divide-in-aphasia-before-covid-19-and-after/

[lifeasamotherhen]

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