Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the social phenomenon that is the widening of the digital divide in Canada. This paper will attempt to define the term digital divide in an effort to offer a proper understanding of the subsequent sections of this paper which form the gist of this paper. Section one of this paper will describe the social issue that is the widening of the digital divide in Canada. This will be followed by a description of three sociological factors that may be propelling this divide. The third section will analyse the consequence of this social phenomenon in Canada. This paper will then suggest a study design that can be used to study one of the consequences of the widening of the digital divide in Canada.
Digital Divide-A Conceptual Definition
The term digital divide can be understood as referring to a range of different phenomena. On the one hand, it can be understood as referring to the unequal use and access to the internet. On the other hand, the term can be understood as referring to the inequality inherent in society in terms of using the internet that is caused not only by the lack of access to the internet but a range of other factors such as education, language, content and so forth. Even though the second definition seems preferable, a better understanding of this term is highlighted in its definition as social stratification due to the unequal ability to access, adapt to and create data and information through the use of technology in the information and communication sector.
In normal parlance, the term digital divide can also be defined as the gap between those people in society who have access to and use information and communication technology and those who do not. This definition serves as an umbrella for a number of issues that include access and infrastructure of information and communication technology, the use and factors impeding the use of technology and the important role of ICT skills and knowledge in the functioning of an information society. This term can be used to refer to the divided within a country or those that exist across different nations. For the purpose of this paper, we will look at this divide in Canada.
Section One: The Digital Divide in Canada
Canada is one of the most internet connected countries in the world. However, access to and use of information technology (ICT) amongst its population is still varied. A report by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority found that the internet connectivity in Canada had risen by 7% in the year 2014 when compared to the level of connectivity in 2010. On the global internet connectivity map, Canada is ranked 16th in terms of internet penetration rates. However, the connectivity rates in the population of Canada still vary. The 2014 report by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) found that while 95% of the country’s high income earners are connected to the internet, only 62% of the low income earners in the country have internet connection. The report also highlighted the digital divide between Canadian population in the urban areas and those in the rural and remote areas. The report noted that while 100% of the urban areas had internet connection, the percentage in the rural and remote areas was 85%.
The divide, according to the report is more profound in the northern parts of Canada. Nunavut region in North Canada has the worst internet connectivity rates. In this region only 27% of the population have internet connection. The rate of internet connectivity when compared across regions in Canada also shows some remarkable difference. British Colombia and Alberta have the highest percentages in internet connectivity in the country at 86%. The regions of Quebec and the East Coast had the worst percentages in internet connectivity at less than 80%. It is for this reason that the government of Canada in this year’s budget pledged three hundred and five million USD ($305 million) over the next five years to provide and improve internet connectivity. This will be done through the provision of high-speed broadband to about 280,000 households and businesses in areas of Canada that are underserved .
Section Two: Sociological reasons for this divide
Although lack of internet access and digital literacy are the primary factors influencing the digital divide in Canada, the second factor is the lack of culturally relevant content. It is noteworthy that majority of internet users generally utilise it for the reason that they can relate to the content on the internet. Thus, where content is not culturally relevant to a segment of the population, there develops a digital divide. For example, in the late 1990’s, majority of Canadian population that spoke French were not using the internet because of the high costs and the lack of content that was culturally relevant. Although the official languages in Canada were English and French, the lack of any content in French and Canadian French community diminished the incentive to use the internet amongst this section of the Canadian population.
The third sociological factor proffering this divide is the lack of internet access programs targeted specifically at women in Canada. This has created the gender divide on internet access in Canada as evidenced by the lack of technical means, social support, skills, autonomy of use and the different forms of internet use such as civic engagement. This divide is most profound in Canadian schools. The lack of these programs has contributed to the development of a negative attitude towards the use of information and communication technology amongst female students in Canadian schools. This phenomenon exacerbates the digital divide on a gender based perspective as the male population has been using the internet on an increasing rate.
Section Three: The Social Consequences of this divide
Research has shown that the digital divide in Canada has been a contributory factor in the exacerbation of the existing level of poverty and disadvantage thus creating a situation called digital exclusion. The digital exclusion is as a result of the spread of information and communication technology and the differences that exist between the different segments of the Canadian population in terms of the use and access to information and technology. Thus, the poor and the old who have limited access to ICT infrastructure miss out on opportunities to improve their lives that are availed through the use of the internet. This is in contrast to those with access and skills on the use of ICT who take full advantage of these opportunities. This has contributed to the widening of the poverty gap among the Canadian population.
The digital divide is also accentuating the existing gaps between already disfranchised groups including immigrants, older workers and those with less education. This divide is becoming more profound given the great importance placed on the use of information and communication technology in almost all sectors in the Canadian society. This divide has also been found to influence the employment patterns and income earning amongst the working class in Canada. Veenhof, Clermont and Sciadas (2005) in their study noted that adults who have intensive skills in computer and use of the internet are more likely to be employed or promoted to top notch employment positions when compared to those of average or higher literacy skills. They also noted that those with intensive internet and computer skills tend to earn higher than those with low or no internet skills.
Thirdly, the digital divide in Canada is also posing a problem to social cohesion in the country. As Ferlander and Timms (1999) in their research state, the convergence of communication and information technology is posing a threat to the existing forms of community and is creating a form of social exclusion that is threatening the inclusion of the poor. They argue that the existing ICT infrastructure is preventing the equal flow of communication between people and social structures. This factor is then severing the social fabric that holds society together. Unlike the wealthier people, the poor the benefits associated with previous goods in the market or new developments.
Section Three: Recommended Research Design to Study the impact of Digital divide on employment patterns
The purpose of this study design is to study the employment rates between people who have ICT skills and those who do not have. In particular, this study design will be seeking to understand the likelihood of people with ICT skill getting employment when compared to those without. It will also study the differences in the level of earning between these two groups of people. To this end, this paper recommends the use of the historical research design to study employment patterns and income earning levels among the working class in Canada.
A historical research design seeks to collect, verify and process past information in order to establish facts or defend a hypothesis. This research design uses secondary sources of data with a variety of primary data evidence. The range of secondary sources that this research design utilizes includes logs, diaries, reports and archives. The primary sources include interviews, observations and so forth. A major advantage of using this type of research design is that the use of historical evidence is unobtrusive. Therefore, the conduct of this research does not affect the results of the study. The research study design is also well suited to analyze certain trends.
This study design has been proposed because it is the best suited to qualify the hypothesis that employment rates have tended to favor people with ICT skills in Australia more than those without. Also, it will also be helpful in studying the difference in the levels of income between these two social groups. This study design will investigate the employment records of major companies in Canada. It will also inquire from Canadian employers some of the factors influencing their decision to employ an individual and in particular the levels of their ICT skills. It will also investigate the income records of companies in Canada to evaluate the differences in the level of incomes between people with ICT skills and those who do not. The results will then be tabulated in order to qualify or disagree with the hypothesis.
References
Canadian Internet Registration Authority. (2014). Canadian Internet Registration Authority 2014 Fact Book. Toronto: Canadian Internet Registration Authority.
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