In the days of house phones, growing up, I remember scanning through the phone directory (commonly known as the white pages) to find a number of friends so we could make plans for the weekend. I also remember standing in a phone box in Thurles town, ringing home with my 20p, hoping someone would pick up the phone and give me a lift home in the pouring rain. In today's world, technology is everywhere and changed how we live. In this more advanced digital age, we have many cool gadgets, apps, and features that have advanced our cultural society, which has been a defining feature of humanity but also destructive to our human existence.
Digital Gadgets; Small Devices, Big Changes
(Image Source: Museum of Design in Plastics)
My first mobile phone was a Motorola S8445A; I thought I was the coolest kid in town. With its short battery life and restricted service, its primary function was only used for talking. Fast forward twenty years. I'm now the proud owner of an iPhone 13, like a mini-computer that does much more. They serve as gateways to information, entertainment, productivity and even health management. Who needs a separate camera when your smartphone can take high-resolution pictures and videos to share online?
Apps: The Digital Alchemy
As I look at my iPhone, it's entirely populated by a number of apps. Magic tools that let me do specific things. Social media apps. that allow me to communicate with family and friends across the globe. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok have become virtual town squares where we share our thoughts, experiences, and creativity. I have apps to help with time management, which allow me to listen to podcasts and work apps that help me work remotely. The list is endless. Some apps are explained above in this video with world-known names such as Tinder, Uber and Switch. The app store is designed to enhance our digital experience.
Functionality Redefined: A Brave New World
Digital culture is not just gadgets and apps. We do things differently now. It's faster and more efficient. We directly communicate differently, replacing the traditional days of house phones. I can do my degree online through the tech of Zoom and Canvas. If I need to google a nice getaway for a weekend, I can search online. Entertainment is at my fingertips, and I don't need to be physically in a shop now to buy my next outfit for a night out.
Challenges: Addressing the Divides
The Digital Divide is a term coined to describe the increasing social inequality created by increasing reliance on technology, the Internet, and related developments such as:
Age-Related Issues
My parents are both in their 80's. My father doesn't know how to use a phone and doesn't know what the internet is. My mother is slightly better. Half a million people in Ireland alone are in there. 60s. ... Over 161,500 older households (40.8%) do not have internet access. This generally comes down to poor education about its benefits and use and lifestyle situations that do not necessitate connectivity.
Socioeconomic Factors
The more money you have, the better access you have to technology and the internet. Those that can afford a higher education will benefit from the evolving technologies of VR and AR. The digital divide mimics the divisions caused by income, education, and social standing worldwide.
Geographic Causes
An estimated 37 per cent of the world's population – or 2.9 billion people – have never used the Internet. While these countries have never used the internet, many homes are still battling painfully slow internet speeds worldwide. Solutions to this problem must overcome geographic and accessibility issues and financial ones.
Racial, Cultural, and Language
The racial digital divide refers to disparities in access to technology and the internet based on racial or ethnic backgrounds. Cultural factors, such as language, values, and customs, can impact how individuals interact with digital technologies. Language barriers limit individuals' ability to access information, services, and opportunities available on the Internet. Most online content is in English, which can create barriers for non-English speakers.
Conclusion
Digital culture has brought countless benefits with digital gadgets, apps and functionality, but it's not without challenges. Not only is the digital divide a concerning issue, but we also have privacy concerns, digital addiction, and cybersecurity threats that are all part of the conversation. We should use them wisely, learn about how they work, be mindful of how they affect our lives, and evolve with care in our ever-changing digital world.
Bibliography
Digital Responsibility (http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/what-are-the-causes-of-digital-divide)
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