Digitally Divided Canada

Presently, the world experiences a major and radical transformation primarily because of reading and scientific revolution. Almost everyday, narration witnesses the birth of passing sophisticated gadgets and equipments that have literally altered the lives of umteen individuals. Nowa years, the hindrances brought about by geographical, spatial and time constraints, no longer demand mankind. In a blink of an eye, tasks which usually gain several days or months to be accomplished sack be promptly turn to with just a single click.Evidently, Marshall McLuhans nonion of the spherical village (Baran & Davis, 2006) is no longer a theoretical argumentthe global village has readily developed, thus devising each and every individual, c arless(predicate) of their age, social status, race and ethnicity more connected and interactive than ever. Relatively, the establishment of the information superhighway did not only increase the connecter of different groups and communities. to a greater extent than anything else, such spot is slavish in opening the doors for various opportunities for fruit and development within the national level.Canada for good example, experienced a major sparing shift with the introduction of Information and Communications Technology, or more popularly known s ICT (Canadas Journey, 2003). A bea which was once firmly dependent on its marine and agricultural resources, is now capitalizing on the benefits and advantages of their alleged(prenominal) knowledge economy (Canadas Journey, 2003). As a matter of situation, the country is considered as one of the most competitive forces within the information engineering industry (Canadas Journey, 2003).However, while it is true that technology fueled Canadas economic expansion, one of the pressing issues that the country needs to confront is digital select. Digital carve up is a serious social concern that placenot be simply described as a battle in the midst of those who ar co nsidered as technologically rich and technologically poor. More than anything else, the implications of digital distinguish tend to contribute to the worsening of the social, economic and cultural gap. These kinds of division ar most especially felt between agricultural and urban settlers.If technology is said to govern mans life, clearly, those who cannot fully inspection and repair of forward-looking woodpeckers and equipment argon to a fault denied of exploiting technologys benefits. Evidently, those that are living in the sylvan orbital cavity are placed in very hard emplacements in as far as being digitally-connected is concerned. Given this situation at hand, one may readily ask, how does digital divide attain the marginalization of awkward settlers in Canada? For this particular discussion, the statistics presented in the Canadian affectionate Trends and The Daily was primarily used.Information in such sites is highly significant since it essentially grants a wider view on how the whole Canadian populace utilizes the internet. However, the above-named sites do not only dabble with internet practice alone. They alike provided unquestionable discussions regarding the availability of personal computers in some(prenominal) countryfied and urban Canada. On the some other hand, another major source that is used to avow the arguments of this report is the E- administration studies of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).In OECD, however, the facts presented are comparisons of internet 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 comes to global connectedness and how its on-line(prenominal) situation contributes to the digital divide experienced by the country. In understanding digital divide in Canada, it is highly important to outgrowth understand how information technology works in the country.It is as well as movement to know the percentages of individuals who can readily coming to have a substantial articulation of the matter. In addition to that, the inputs from the OECD contribute in a more than deeper examination of how digital divide affects not only Canada, but also in other parts of the world. This Mc Laren (2002) discussed that mostly of the individuals who own computers are located in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) and Census Agglomerations (CA). This is in bleak contrast to those who are residing in country-bred 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 outlandish areas posses such equipment (please refer to Figure 1 of Appendix). on that point are 2 earths that can possibly explain this particular situation. First, it can be argued in here that urban settings can easily hold to major technological shifts and transformations. This would not come as so me(prenominal) of a surprise since major cities and areas are considered as the center of commerce and trade. In an area looming with various business opportunities, the use of an efficient 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 material. other reason behind that is the high acquire power of urban settlers. Suppliers of high-end technological products readily targets consumers in the city since they know that highly urbanized areas can provide them with a solid market base. On the other hand, as for the plate of rural residents, digital connectedness seems to fall short.This primarily stems from the existing income discrepancies between the two groups. McLaren (2002) found out that those who earn less than $20,000 in rural areas can hardly afford to ha ve 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 same 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 sex act that is harder for them to acquire internet access as well. While 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, despite of the fact that he or she earns less than $20,000, can still own a computer primarily because in the city, one can always welcome cheaper alternatives.Computer providers in such ar eas are engaged into a stiff emulation 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 change 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 introduce into the digital world. It would be more difficult for these individuals to be updated on recent technological trends and developments. In addition to that, the lack of computers also prevents these individuals from making the most of Canadas robust knowledge economy. Also, it is important to stigmatize that computers straightaway cannot only assist Canadians in co nnecting 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 legal opinion that digital divide does not merely focus on the talent 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 enjoy internet operate (please see of Appendix). There is no distrust that the internet is a good source of knowledge and information. Relevant data and statistics found in the World Wide Web contribute to empowering and educating individuals. However, with the current situation of rural Ca nada, they are unvarnishedly left behind. Take for example the case of students which primarily uses the internet for research 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 business opportunities are easily accessed by urban residents since they have the tool to do so. Apparently, the digital divide tends to exclude individuals from the rural sector from using technology to further 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 dispersal of wealth and power. More than anything else, it should be always remembered that only those who have access to a wide array of providers and are fina ncially adequate to participate 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 thus 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 annihilate Canadians in rural areas from utilizing the internet is the costs associated with it (McLaren, 2002). The other reason corresponds to the absence seizure 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 community translates to building the necessary infrastructures.Thus, in as far as internet and communication providers are concerned an area should be highly feasible for b usiness trading 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. Not 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 bear digitally left behind.The effects of digital divide in rural Canada however cannot be only felt on the economic disadvantages of rural residents. Aside from the tacit or unconscious information monopoly of those that are technologically rich, there is also an apparent exclusion of the technologically inept from move in issues that require utmost concerns (Jones, 2003). For how can somebody participate if he or she is not well-informed? Aside from that, rural residents are someways denied of articulatin g their interests, views and opinions.It is no secret that the internet provides forums and sites wherein participants can express their sentiments and generate doable 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 forth by technology should not be limited into very few hands. If there is anyone who must be technologically empowered, it is no other than the ones in rural settings primarily because they are the ones who unfeignedly need it, not the other way around. In as much as technological infrastructures are progressively established in urban areas, then more efforts should be exerted in the rural sectors.