Should we "bridge" the digital divide - discussion

Should we "bridge" the digital divide?

Our discussion topic also has to do with the digital divide. We decided, however, to focus on the global perspective of the digital divide.

This discussion board will be a debate of the the pros and cons of bridging the digital divide. In other words, there are those that would say that access to technology is not necessarily a good thing for some cultures that do not already have technology. For example, one man from northern Nigeria told a story about how happy his life was growing up in a small village. His school was 4-½ miles away, and he had no shoes, but he would sometimes run all the way home from school in happiness and joy. His family was happy and joyful, as well.

Then, people came to his village and said that because he had no shoes, his family was poor. Now, the people that were once happy are struggling, and their view of the beautiful life they once had is gone. It is his contention that people from other cultures should not come in and solve the problems of another culture based on their own standards of living. Is this also true with the digital divide?

We have provided several resources to help you begin your discussion. You are not limited to using thes articles. If you find other resources to support your argument, please share with a link to the resource. Please watch the videos and read the following articles:

• Aleph Molinari: Let's bridge the digital divide! – This excellent TedTalk video describes the digital divide from a global perspective

• Digital divide: Improving Internet access in the developing world through affordable services and diverse content - In this paper, the digital divide describes the causes of the digital divide, and what it means int erms of developing worlds.

• Obstacles in Bridging the Digital Divide in Tanzania (Sedoyeka, 2012) - This article discusses the digital divide in a specific developing country - Tanzania.

In your initial post, defend the pros of bridging the digital divide, or defend the cons of pushing countries without technology into the 21st century. Your two response posts should be to people who are in an opposing viewpoint. You are free to work with other people on your “side” to develop arguments and post as a single initial post. Your assignments are as follows: