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The Digital Divide, Digital Equity, and Their Impact on Modern Society

In today's world, digital technology has become an essential component of our lives, allowing us to connect, learn, and work in ways that were unimaginable just a few decades ago. However, not everyone has equal access to these technologies, creating a "digital divide" that can have significant repercussions for those who lack regular or reliable access to technology devices, reliable WiFi, or the technical knowledge and skills necessary to use technology most fully (Pazurek & Feyissa, 2015). This divide can place people at a significant disadvantage, particularly in terms of education and job opportunities.

Digital equity, on the other hand, is an ethical issue focused on ensuring that everyone has equal access to digital technology and the necessary skills to use it effectively (The National Digital Inclusion Alliance, 2016). By promoting digital equity, we can help bridge the digital divide and create more inclusive and equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic background, race, or geographical location.

The digital divide and digital equity are closely related concepts, as addressing the digital divide is an essential step towards achieving digital equity. As more aspects of our daily lives become mediated by digital technology, those who lack access, knowledge, or skills are at risk of being left behind. For instance, limited access to technology can hinder educational opportunities, as many schools and universities now rely on digital resources for teaching and learning (Gonzales, Calarco, & Lynch, 2018). Additionally, job applications and other essential services are increasingly moving online, making it difficult for those without reliable internet access to participate fully in the modern economy.

To combat the digital divide and promote digital equity, initiatives must focus on providing affordable and robust broadband internet service, internet-enabled devices, access to digital literacy training, quality technical support, and applications and online content designed to encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration (The National Digital Inclusion Alliance, 2016). By addressing these issues, we can help ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to thrive in today's digitally connected world.

In conclusion, the digital divide and digital equity are critical issues that require our attention in order to create a more inclusive and equitable society. As we move further into the digital age, it is essential that we recognize the importance of providing equal access to technology, knowledge, and skills for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. By actively promoting digital equity, we can help bridge the digital divide and create a world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and contribute to the global community.

References:

Gonzales, A. L., Calarco, J. M., & Lynch, T. (2018). Technology Problems and Student Achievement Gaps: A Validation and Extension of the Technology Maintenance Construct. American Sociological Review, 83(2), 317-343.

Pazurek, A., & Feyissa, M. (2015). Digital Divide. In J. M. Spector (Ed.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Educational Technology (pp. 234-237). SAGE Publications.

Radovanovic, D. (2011, December 14). Digital Divide and Social Media: Connectivity Doesn't End the Digital Divide, Skills Do. Scientific American. Retrieved from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/digital-divide-and-social-media-connectivity-doesnt-end-the-digital-divide-skills-do/

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance. (2016). Definitions. Retrieved from https://www.digitalinclusion.org/definitions/

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Embracing Digital Citizenship in Higher Education

In today's digital age, the concept of digital citizenship has become increasingly important. Digital citizenship refers to the ability to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world (Common Sense Media, 2018). It encompasses not only digital literacy, which focuses on the skills needed to effectively use and understand digital technology, but also the ethical and responsible use of these technologies (Ribble, Bailey, & Ross, 2004). In essence, digital citizenship is about being a responsible and proactive member of the online community.

Digital citizenship and digital literacy share similarities, such as the need for critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills (Xu, Yang, MacLeod, & Zhu, 2018). However, digital citizenship goes beyond the basic skills and knowledge to include accountability, responsibility, and ethical conduct in online spaces. While digital literacy is focused on understanding and utilizing technology, digital citizenship emphasizes the social, ethical, and human aspects of online engagement.

Fostering digital citizenship in adult learners is crucial, as they are often required to navigate the digital world in their personal and professional lives. Educators can support digital citizenship by embedding opportunities for students to learn with and through technology, such as social media, in their curriculums (Xu, Yang, MacLeod, & Zhu, 2018). Furthermore, they can emphasize the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills, as well as the contextual skills of flexibility and self-direction (Xu, Yang, MacLeod, & Zhu, 2018).

Individuals can also take steps to enact good digital citizenship when participating online. For example, they can be respectful and considerate in online interactions, protect their privacy and the privacy of others, and acknowledge and cite the work of others when sharing information (Ottesen, 2018). By actively engaging in responsible online behavior, adult learners can contribute to a positive and supportive digital community.

In conclusion, digital citizenship is an essential aspect of the digital age and must be fostered in higher education for adult learners. By incorporating digital citizenship education into curriculums and encouraging responsible online behavior, educators and individuals can create a more ethical and accountable digital world.

References:

Ahlquist, J. (2014). Infusing digital citizenship into higher education. Retrieved from https://www.josieahlquist.com/infusing-digital-citizenship-into-higher-education/

Common Sense Media. (2018). Digital citizenship. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship

Ottesen, G. (2018). New 'digital citizenship' curriculum helps students become responsible tech users.

Ribble, M., Bailey, G., & Ross, T. (2004). Nine elements of digital citizenship. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340682289_The_9_elements_of_digital_citizenship

Xu, S., Yang, H., MacLeod, J., & Zhu, S. (2018). Social media competence and digital citizenship among college students. Computers & Education, 121, 1-15.

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Social Media & Participatory Culture

Participatory culture theory, initially proposed by media scholar Henry Jenkins, revolves around the idea that people today are actively engaged in creating and sharing content through various social media platforms. This theory emphasizes the significance of user-generated content and the distribution of knowledge among users, ultimately highlighting the social and cultural aspects of learning that we have discussed earlier in the semester.

As for my personal engagement with social media, I find that my motivation to participate online stems from a desire to connect with others, share my interests, and stay informed about the world around me. For instance, I often share articles related to my field of study or posts about my hobbies, such as photography and travel. By doing so, I am not only showcasing my interests but also contributing to the exchange of knowledge and experiences within my online network. Furthermore, I actively participate in online communities centered around specific topics, such as an environmental activism group or a photography forum. This allows me to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from their expertise, and contribute to discussions and initiatives that align with my values and passions.

The readings and video content this week have reinforced the importance of understanding the connections between digital literacy and participatory culture theory. Jenkins et al. (2009) argue that embracing participatory culture can help develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, which are crucial for success in today's digital age. Additionally, Hinton & Hjorth (2013) emphasize the role of user-generated content in shaping the online landscape, asserting that participation in social media networks is driven by a variety of factors, including personal interest, social connections, and the desire for self-expression.

In conclusion, participatory culture theory offers a valuable lens through which we can analyze and understand the ever-evolving landscape of social media. As digital citizens, it is essential for us to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to engage meaningfully in online networks and communities. By doing so, we not only enrich our own learning experiences but also contribute to the collective exchange of ideas, knowledge, and creativity that characterizes the digital age.

References:

Hinton, S., & Hjorth, L. (2013). Participation and User Generated Content. In Understanding Social Media.

Jenkins, H., Puroshotma, R., Clinton, K., Weigel, M., & Robison, A. J. (2009). Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century.

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The Social Media Wave

According to research from Common Sense Media and the Pew Research Center, social media is often used by people of all ages. It also showed that these age groups clearly had preferences over which social media platforms they used. For example, whereas 65% of persons between the ages of 18 and 29 use Snapchat, only 2% of those 65 and older do. It also showed the expansion and application of several social media platforms. It was interesting to look at how teenagers felt and acted when using social media. It specifically affects young lives in both positive and negative ways, but it also has a huge impact on a large number of teenagers.

The Common Sense Media movie explores how kids use social media to combat sadness and loneliness. Social media opens up channels of endless communication that help kids keep themselves entertained as well as connect with others since it allows them to stay connected with family, friends, and new people all the time. This beneficial effect can be experienced by many more people outside of just the teenage age range due to the already rising rate of social media users across many other age demographics, as shown in the Pew Research Center article. Teenagers' views of social media's effects are positive, which is another effect. Teenagers reported in greater numbers that social media helps them feel less lonely, unhappy, and anxious.

The infographic and movie from Common Sense Media do an nice job of showing the negative effects. We observed from the film that there are far less in-person encounters and a lot more online bullying behavior. The infographic also showed statistics like "57% of all teens believe that using social media frequently diverts their attention away from homework" as well as "54% of teen social media users agree that using social media frequently diverts their attention away from friends." The infographic also noted that 54% of parents who were polled said they would be "far more worried" about social media if they knew what truly knew everything that happened there. These statistics show that while social media can be helpful, it has negative impacts on peoples lives.

The Common Sense Media infographic highlighted a significant research finding that I thought was noteworthy. It was fascinating to see all the data on how social media is affecting kids' daily life, the worries that parents have about it, and the general attitude toward it. The statistic that "72% of youth believe that tech corporations persuade users to spend more time on their gadgets" stuck out to me, though, was not the only thing that caught my attention. It's incredibly amazing to observe how conscious teenagers are of something they still use frequently. I believe that discussing the ethics of this in relation to the functions and conduct of the tech industry is crucial, particularly given the societal context in which social media continues to play an increasingly significant role.