Hum2+Group4

=D³ [Digital Divide Diminution] =

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Many people now exist in their online life more than their actual physical being. Email, instant messaging, social networking websites, video hosts, and online calling systems are all features that technology offers, and many people in society today would feel lost without them. Apart from computer technology, many people rely on devices and appliances such as toasters, blenders, electric razors and daily use items. Technology offers many benefits such as online knowledge and education programs, communication methods and daily use appliances. Many people are unable to afford any of these benefits due to an insufficient amount of money to afford it, which contributes to the digital divide. The Digital Divide is the separation between people who have access to technology and electronics, and those who do not. We feel equality is important, and hope to find ways to provide access to technology to those without, normally. Of the 14.6 million living in Shanghai, about 47% of the population have internet access and use it on a regular basis. Though there is a high usage rate of technology in computers alone, there is still a large portion of the population struggling with finance issues. Though the biggest issue seems to be that a large part of society cannot afford technology, the real problem is the fact that many are illiterate or unable to understand the basics of how to use technology. Without a sufficient education, many poor people will be unable to understand most websites, or even how to function the computer itself. These computers are also quite pricey, the cheapest computer being 397$ by Dell, but instead of benefiting from the educational uses, illiterate people and poor people who cannot understand technology would spend money to pay for it. Many children, who use technology without full understanding, resort to using technology to access time consuming games, instant messaging and violent images or cartoons which influence their being. We hope to change this by not only providing computers to places in need, but teaching how to benefit from the technology and how to use it to their best interest. While some continue to argue that this is not a real issue, the issue will grow and become more extreme, especially with the economical struggle and our world in recession. We hope to help solve this issue by starting to donate some secondhand electronic devices and appliances, and donating low cost computers for places like schools, orphanages and shelter homes, while also providing education on how to use them for the best benefit. ===== = = = = =Links:= =Case Study= =Action Plan= = = =Resources=