The Digital Divide - Technology: A Fundamental Human Right

 The Digital Divide

                             Technology: A Fundamental Human Right

Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights  states that ‘Everyone has the right to education’ and that ‘human rights apply both online and offline’ (United Nations, n.d.).  Furthermore, Policy 3 in Ensuring the Protection of Human Rights (United Nations, n.d.) addresses the need to “protect the gaps created by evolving digital technologies”.   

Though often painted as a ‘minority issue’, reading and literacy is a civil rights issue applicable to all (The Right to Read, 2023).  The Right to Read (2023) challenges us to ask ourselves [as educators] “do we have the political will, moral courage and fortitude to use literacy as a vehicle to include all”?

 

 In past literacy has been thought of as reading, writing, and an equal access to books was prominent in the discussion of educational rights.  As times move forward and technology plays a larger role in society and learning, it only seems crucial that we include the role of digital technologies, and access to such, in these important discussions and paths moving forwards

When I think about who needs access to education and learning, I can’t help but think beyond schools and the classroom.  We think of children and our students yes, but the digital divides exist geographically and with the larger community we serve.  This includes (but not limited to) minorities, underprivileged, homeless, and or elderly. The infographic below (Moya, G. (2020) outlines how the digital divide can affect our greater community and not just the schools we teach in.  These are vital elements to consider because, as teacher librarians, we don’t just serve the students in our school, but we serve our entire community.  

 

 

                Retrieved from https://progressive.org/op-eds/bridge-the-digital-divide-moya-200617/

 

Spacing Radio (2020) suggest that libraries have a role as the ‘community hub’ for digital resources.  Digital technologies can be used to; 

 1. To create and foster community.

2.  To educate.

3.  To turn ideas into success.

4.  To express yourself and share ideas. 

 

Additionally, digital technology provides pathways to enhance mental health. 

“Technology is a tool for expression, to be heard, and to create with… when you can tell your story and you can tell it in a way that amplifies your voice and ensure it is heard on every medium, then it is a mental health tool unto itself.”

Spacing Radio (2020)

 

>>> press here to have a listen…

 

                 (this is a long one but worth the time if you have it)                

            So what then becomes our next steps or the beginning of closing the divide that currently exists?  The answers are many and complicated but Singh (2021) suggests that libraries are most suited in addressing this dividing and providing the help needed as they are set up with the ‘full range of tools’ to support the people in need of information and experiences.  Singh suggests that the 4 tools essential in bridge the digital divide are;

1. Literacy,

2. Access,

3. Training, &

4. Content.

            Libraries play an important role in reducing this divide as they are already set up and ready to go with instructional practices in place, a captive audience, close relationships within the community and teachers, and with basic access to technology and skills to teach such. (Singh, 2021).  As we look to solutions and the promise of equal access, Singh suggests school libraries can apply the following approaches in achieving this;

1.  Creating awareness and promotion.

2.  Providing access and connectivity.

3.  Ensuring necessary skills.

4.  Providing reliable support.

5.  Providing relevant content.

 Retrieved from https://communitytechnetwork.org/blog/device-shortage-impacts-digital-divide

 

REFERENCES:

 

Moya, G. (2020). Let’s bridge the digital divide. The Progressive. Retrieved from https://progressive.org/op-eds/bridge-the-digital-divide-moya-200617/

Spacing Radio. (2020, February 24). The future fix: Community hubs bridging the digital divide [Audio podcast episode]. In SoundCloud. Spacing Media. Retrieved from https://soundcloud.com/spacingradio/the-future-fix-community-hubs-bridging-the-digital-divide

Trotter, H. (2010). Reducing the digital divide. School Libraries Worldwide, 16(2). Retrieved from https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/slw/index.php/iasl/article/view/7561/4409

United Nations. (n.d.). Digital human rights summary. Office of the Envoy on Technology. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/techenvoy/sites/www.un.org.techenvoy/files/general/Digital_Human_Rights_Summary_PDF.pdf

The Right to Read. (2023, February 23). The right to read trailer [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ptUYVHDeHOw 

Singh, D. (2021). Reducing the Digital Divide: The Role of School Libraries. International Association of School Librarianship. Retrieved from https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/slw/index.php/iasl/article/view/7561/4409