Main Topic Area

There is presence of digital divide in Singapore between citizens who are visually handicapped citizens and those who are not.

Main Problem Identified

Most digital technologies prevalently used nowadays are not designed to be suitable for the visually handicapped. Due to that, the visually handicapped are not as tech-savvy as compared to the rest. Furthermore, having basic IT knowledge is gradually becoming an essential criterion in Singapore’s working industry. Thus, this leads to the visually handicapped to have lower marketability in the employment market than other Singaporeans.

Existing Solution

To narrow down the digital divide, Singapore’s Ministry for Community Development, Youth and Sports built a pan-disability IT training centre in 2008. The centre aims to close up the digital gap for Singaporean with physical disabilities, including the visually handicapped. The centre takes on unique and effective approaches, such as personalizing each course to suit individual student needs, in educating the handicapped regarding usage of digital technology. However, there is little enrolment at the centre as it is not widely advertised to reach a larger audience in the country.

Proposed Thesis

As usage of IT becomes more prevalent in business, Singaporean employers are expecting their potential employees to possess basic IT knowledge, in which the visually handicapped will lose out in terms of marketability because they are not as tech-savvy as compared to the able-bodied, so the Ministry for Community Development, Youth and Sports should strive to reach out to more of the visually handicapped population and invite them to sign up with the pan-disability IT training centre so as to increase their employability.

In a Euromonitor blog post entitled "Global Digital Divide Persists But Is Narrowing" (2011), where according to trade sources, it is reported that developed countries are currently having higher digital connectivity as compared to developing countries. However, the author claims that the growth rate of internet accessibility in developing countries will be higher than developed countries. As a result of this trend, it has impacted the "economic, social, political and cultural" aspects of both developed and developing countries.

Personally, I am quite skeptical towards the conclusion the author has made regarding developing countries’ prospective growth in digital connectivity being faster than developed countries. He mentions that according to International Telecommunications Union, “the total number of fixed broadband users in developing regions rose by 253.5% between 2005 and 2010” but “in developed regions it rose by 109.7%.” However, this only shows an overview. By over-generalising the situation, developing regions seem to have higher broadband penetration’s growth rate than developed regions due to certain major developing countries’ swift growth, but it does not reflect that not all developing countries are able to experience higher growth rate than developed countries.

Firstly, to gain access to the digital world, a country needs to construct the essential IT infrastructure. However, most developing countries lack the hefty funds needed to build them. This is because some developing countries are currently surviving on extremely low GDP per capita. According to the World Bank Group (n.d.), Afghanistan, a developing country located in South Asia, is only achieving a low GDP per capita of US$678 currently. Similar to Afghanistan, Bangladesh has only attained a GDP per capita of US$829. In contrast, USA, a modern developed country, has achieved a high GDP per capita of US$53,143. Thus, developed countries have ample funds to invest and widen their current IT network. On the other hand, with the country’s economy in jeopardy, it will be difficult for certain developing countries, such as Afghanistan and Bangladesh, to produce the funds required to shape the country’s IT infrastructure and increase growth of digital availability.

Secondly, even though basic IT infrastructure has been established in the country, the people living in the developing countries may not possess prior knowledge in using the newly acquired technology. For example, Wakefield (2010) has mentioned that there are concerns raised in Hungary over internet usage being too complicated for the Hungarian citizens to comprehend due to absence of “national e-inclusion policy” when the country started investing in fibre-optic cables infrastructure. As the IT technology may feel alien to the citizens living in some of the developing countries, it will take time and effort to educate them regarding usage of IT. Thus, this will stifle the growth of digital connectivity in the country.

Lastly, a breach in national security can also slow down the growth rate of digital connectivity. Unfortunately, wars and internal strife are common in developing countries located in certain parts of the world. For example, African developing countries, such as Mali and Mozambique, experienced internal conflicts in recent years. As the country will prioritize protecting itself first, funds will be directed to strengthen the country’s defences instead of improving citizen’s quality of life, such as provision of internet access. In worst case scenario, the amount of existing IT usage in the country can shrink due to destroyed IT infrastructure in the conflicts.

In conclusion, due to the situations that some developing countries are experiencing, these countries may face a formidable journey when attempting to achieve an increased amount of digital connectivity. Therefore, it is difficult to assume that all developing countries will attain faster growth rate in accessibility and usage of internet than developed countries.

_________________________________________________________________________________

References

Global digital divide persists but is narrowing. (2011, February 11). Retrieved September 04, 2014, from http://blog.euromonitor.com/2011/02/global-digital-divide-persists-but-is-narrowing-1.html

Wakefield, J. (2010, March 19). World wakes up to digital divide. Retrieved September 05, 2014, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8568681.stm 

World Bank Group (n.d.). GDP per capita (current US$). Retrieved September 05, 2014, from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD/countries?display=default


<658 words (with references)>

In a Euromonitor blog post entitled "Global Digital Divide Persists But Is Narrowing" (2011), where according to trade sources, it is asserted that developed countries have a higher digital connectivity as compared to developing countries. However, the author claims that the future growth rate of internet accessibility in developing countries will be higher than developed countries. As a result of this trend, it has impacted the "economic, social, political and cultural" aspects of both developed and developing countries.

Personally, I am quite skeptical towards the conclusion the author has made regarding developing countries’ prospective growth rate in digital connectivity will be faster than developed countries. I feel that the author has over-generalised the situation as he considers all developing regions to be the same. To support his claim, he mentions that “Faster average annual growth in broadband subscribers has occurred in other major developing countries, for instance India (57.5%), Nigeria (181.4%) and Vietnam (100.0%).” Though these developing countries do exhibit trends of higher growth rate than developed countries, it is highly improbable to observe similar results occurring in all other developing countries.

Firstly, to gain access to the digital world, a country needs to construct the essential IT infrastructure. However, most developing countries lack the hefty funds needed to build them. This is because some developing countries are currently surviving on extremely low GDP per capita. According to the World Bank Group (n.d.), Afghanistan, a developing country located in South Asia, is only achieving a low GDP per capita of US$678 currently. Similar to Afghanistan, Bangladesh has only attained a GDP per capita of US$829. In contrast, USA, a modern developed country, has achieved a high GDP per capita of US$53,143. Thus, developed countries have ample funds to invest and widen their current IT network. On the other hand, with the country’s economy in jeopardy, it will be difficult for developing countries, such as Afghanistan and Bangladesh, to produce the funds required to shape the country’s IT infrastructure.

Secondly, even though basic IT infrastructure has been established in the country, the people living in the developing countries may not possess prior knowledge in using the newly acquired technology. For example, Wakefield (2010) has mentioned that there are concerns raised in Hungary over internet usage being too complicated for the Hungarian citizens to comprehend due to absence of “national e-inclusion policy” when the country started investing in fibre-optic cables infrastructure. As the IT technology may feel alien to the citizens living in the developing countries, it will take time and effort to educate them regarding usage of IT. Thus, this will stifle the growth of digital connectivity in the country.

Lastly, a breach in national security can also slow down the growth rate of digital connectivity. Unfortunately, wars and internal strife are common in developing countries located in certain parts of the world. For example, African developing countries, such as Mali and Mozambique, experienced internal conflicts in recent years. As the country will prioritize protecting itself first, funds will be directed to strengthen the country’s defences instead of improving citizen’s quality of life, such as provision of internet access. In worst case scenario, the amount of existing IT usage in the country can shrink due to destroyed IT infrastructure in the conflicts.

In conclusion, due to the situations that some developing countries are experiencing, these countries may face a formidable journey when attempting to achieve an increased amount of digital connectivity. Therefore, it is difficult to assume that all developing countries will attain faster growth rate in accessibility and usage of internet than developed countries.

______________________________________________________________________________

References

Global digital divide persists but is narrowing. (2011, February 11). Retrieved September 04, 2014, from http://blog.euromonitor.com/2011/02/global-digital-divide-persists-but-is-narrowing-1.html

Wakefield, J. (2010, March 19). World wakes up to digital divide. Retrieved September 05, 2014, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8568681.stm  

World Bank Group (n.d.). GDP per capita (current US$). Retrieved September 05, 2014, from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD/countries?display=default

<643 words (with references)>

In a Euromonitor blog post entitled "Global Digital Divide Persists But Is Narrowing" (2011), where according to trade sources, it is asserted that developed countries have a higher digital connectivity as compared to developing countries. However, the future growth rate of internet accessibility in developing countries will be much higher. As a result of this trend, it has impacted the "economic, social, political and cultural" aspects of both developed and developing countries.

Personally, I am quite skeptical towards the conclusion the author has made regarding developing countries’ prospective growth rate in digital connectivity will be faster than developed countries. Though certain developing countries, such as China, do exhibit such trends, it is highly impossible to observe similar results occurring in all developing countries.

Firstly, to gain access to the digital world, a country needs to construct the essential IT infrastructure. However, most developing countries lack the hefty funds needed to build them.  This is because some developing countries are currently surviving on extremely low GDP per capita. According to the World Bank Group (n.d.), Afghanistan, a developing country located in South Asia, is only achieving a low GDP per capita of US$678 currently. Similar to Afghanistan, Bangladesh has only attained a GDP per capita of US$829. In contrast, USA, a modern developed country, has achieved a high GDP per capita of US$53,143. Thus, developed countries have ample funds to invest and widen their current IT network. On the other hand, with the country’s economy in jeopardy, it will be difficult for developing countries, such as Afghanistan and Bangladesh, to produce the funds required to shape the country’s IT infrastructure.

Secondly, even though basic IT infrastructure has been established in the country, the people living in the developing countries may not possess prior knowledge in using the newly acquired technology. For example, Wakefield (2010) has mentioned that there are concerns raised in Hungary over internet usage being too complicated for the Hungarian citizens to comprehend due to absence of “national e-inclusion policy” when the country started investing in fibre-optic cables infrastructure. As the IT technology may feel ‘alien’ to the citizens living in the developing countries, it will take time and effort to educate them regarding usage of IT. Thus, this will stifle the growth of digital connectivity in the country.

Lastly, a breach in national security can also slow down the growth rate of digital connectivity. Unfortunately, wars and internal strife are common in developing countries located in certain parts of the world. For example, African developing countries, such as Mali and Mozambique, experienced internal conflicts in recent years. As the country will prioritize protecting itself first, funds will be directed to strengthen the country’s defenses instead of improving citizen’s quality of life, such as provision of internet access. In worst case scenario, the amount of existing IT usage in the country can shrink due to destroyed IT infrastructure in the conflicts.

In conclusion, due to the situations that some developing countries are experiencing, these countries may face a formidable journey when attempting to achieve an increased amount of digital connectivity.  Therefore, it is difficult to assume that all developing countries will attain faster growth rate in accessibility and usage of internet than developed countries.

_________________________________________________________________________________

References

Global digital divide persists but is narrowing. (2011, February 11). Retrieved September 04, 2014, from http://blog.euromonitor.com/2011/02/global-digital-divide-persists-but-is-narrowing-1.html

Wakefield, J. (2010, March 19). World wakes up to digital divide. Retrieved September 05, 2014, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8568681.stm  

World Bank Group (n.d.). GDP per capita (current US$). Retrieved September 05, 2014, from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD/countries?display=default

For me, a significant event that has shaped my life would be the day I met one of my best friend in secondary school. Till now, I am still grateful towards her. She is the catalyst that sparks my passion in Japanese culture, which heavily influences the choices I have made in life. Without her, I doubt I will be thinking of majoring in NUS’s Japanese Studies right now.

When we first interacted, we managed to hit it off right away when I mentioned that I watched Japanese anime and read manga occasionally. Although, I was not engrossed in them at that point of time, her enthusiasm regarding anime and manga was contagious and soon I started to fall in love with them too. I still remember the days when we had heated debates regarding certain mangas’ plots and the fun times we had singing along to the theme songs of our favorite anime series. Furthermore, she also introduced the different aspects of Japanese culture to me gradually and soon I became deeply fascinated in them. Thus, this ignited my fervor in the Japanese culture and brought me where I am today.

Unfortunately, after we graduated from secondary school, I lost touch with her as we went on separate paths to pursue our own dreams. I would love to meet with her again and reminisce about the amazing times we shared together during our secondary school years.

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Researchers of Ohio State University, have discovered that avid university Facebook users tend to achieve poorer grades than those that do not use Facebook. This is because the avid users use a large amount of study time to surf Facebook instead. (Leake & Warren, 2009)