THE STRUCTURE
● Introduction: Begin with the current situation of digital divide, which was also exacerbated due to the digital divide.
● Body:
○ Mention how digital divide can curtail the all-around development of child.
○ Write about how digital divide can lead to ethical concerns.
○ Write about the required improvements in the infrastructure/social and moral education for better development of child.
● Conclusion: End with the importance of curbing digital divide and how it can address ethical concerns.
Ans. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, education, vocational learning, leisure activities, games all went online by a quantum jump, which further widened the already existing digital divide in Indian society.
In the specific context of children, all-around development like emotional, intellectual, social, and psychological development is important at such a young age, but due to limited digitalisation and lack of quality infrastructure, this development took a hit. Digital divide also curtails the child right and deprives them of all-round development.
Following are some implications:
Inequality and Social Justice: The digital divide exacerbates existing social and economic inequalities. It creates a scenario where disadvantaged individuals and communities are further marginalized, limiting their access to education, employment opportunities, healthcare, and social services. This raises concerns about fairness, equal opportunity, and social justice.
Information and Knowledge Gap: The digital divide hampers access to information and knowledge, restricting individuals from participating fully in social, political, and economic activities. This knowledge gap can deepen existing power imbalances and impede societal progress. Equal access to information is essential for informed decision-making and democratic participation.
Exclusion and Discrimination: The digital divide can lead to exclusion and discrimination, particularly for marginalized groups such as low-income individuals, rural communities, and people with disabilities. Without access to digital resources, they may be excluded from critical services, employment opportunities, and social networks. This raises concerns about discrimination and the right to equal treatment.
Privacy and Data Security: As more services and transactions move online, those on the wrong side of the digital divide may face challenges in protecting their privacy and securing their personal data. Lack of digital literacy and access to secure technologies can make individuals more vulnerable to privacy breaches, identity theft, and other digital risks.
Issues related with the Digital Divide:
● Lack of all emotional, intellectual and social development of a child.
● Psychological divide of one section getting benefitted and another not.
● Frustration, anger and moral downfall of a child.
● Non-emotionally intelligent development of a child.
● Weaker work force for the future generations.
Deprivation of all-around development makes a child grow weaker in comparison to their counterparts. Growing weak can instigate a sense of deprivation, alienation, and frustration. This is also linked to social justice, where a section of children is growing and getting their personality development, while the other section is at loggerheads. Growing weaker will have an impact on the future workforce as well. They may also become an economic burden on the country as a whole.
To address these ethical concerns and bridge the digital divide, policymakers can consider the following approaches:
Infrastructure Development: Invest in robust digital infrastructure, including affordable broadband connectivity, especially in rural and underserved areas. This will expand access to digital technologies and reduce the barriers to entry.
Digital Literacy and Skills Development: Implement programs to enhance digital literacy and skills training, particularly targeting marginalized communities. This will empower individuals to navigate the digital world effectively, fostering inclusion and participation.
Affordability and Accessibility: Ensure affordability of digital devices, internet services, and software applications. Make efforts to provide subsidized or low-cost options to bridge the affordability gap and promote access for disadvantaged populations.
Policy and Regulation: Develop policies and regulations that promote universal access, digital inclusion, and protect individuals’ rights to privacy and data security. This includes enacting laws that safeguard against discrimination and ensure equal opportunities in the digital realm. The National Education Policy 2020 can be considered a step in right direction.
Enhancing the digital infrastructure, providing quality infrastructure and content for all-around development, improving and implementing a better education policy, and introducing curriculum like the Happy Curriculum introduced in schools of Delhi. At the same time, bringing community efforts to make children more social and vocal and focusing on mental health also becomes imperative.
Conclusion: Curbing the digital divide and peripheral issues regarding it has become the need of the hour for bridging the gap in the all-around development of a child. Policymakers, the community and different stakeholders shall take the necessary steps required to fill the gap, ensure the all-round development of children and keep them relevant and active for their upcoming challenges.
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