Do you know the reality of the Digital Divide?
Yes! It's a reality
Lack of Respect and Empathy in Online Interactions
On the internet, we often think we can do things we wouldn't do in everyday life. But bad actions online, like hate or cyberbullying, can deeply hurt people, causing emotional pain, mental health issues like depression, or even the desire to harm oneself. Remember that behind the screen there are always real people, so it's important to be kind and respectful online. The digital world is part of the real world!
Lack of awareness on how to protect oneself from online crime
Online crime involves different types of offenses, such as privacy violations or data theft. There are also more complex crimes like cyber warfare. The internet has introduced new dangers like cyberstalking or identity theft. These crimes can harm both people and their assets. Very often we are not able to recognize and protect ourselves!
Lack of help from psychologists and experts for those who suffer actions committed or suffered online
Excessive use of the internet can really disrupt the work and social life of those involved, becoming a real problem. For example, there are people who become addicted to social media or who experience anxiety just at the thought of not being able to use their smartphone (nomophobia). Others engage in online sexual behaviors, and some may feel constantly watched like in a reality show (Truman Syndrome). These problems can cause discomfort both psychologically and socially. It's important for professionals to understand these issues to help those who suffer from them.
Lack or even absence of training, but especially of trainers
Many people don't know how to use the internet and other modern technologies well to participate in today's digital life. This can cause different problems depending on age, gender, religion, and other factors, creating a big gap between generations and cultures. Reasons behind this issue include the lack of training for teachers and technical staff, a big difference between what is learned at school and what is needed for work, and little help for older people to use new technologies. The consequences of this digital illiteracy are exclusion from work, difficulty in using online services, and lack of awareness among students when choosing their career.
Poor accessibility to services and infrastructures
In many parts of the world, many people don't have easy access to important things like the internet and computers. This makes it difficult for them to fully participate in economic and social life. Many companies, banks, and public institutions are moving many operations online, but many people don't have the resources to keep up. Not everyone has a computer at home or a good internet connection. This means that many people are excluded from full involvement in society, making it difficult for them to develop fully as individuals and fully participate in the political, economic, and social life of their country.
High risk of misinformation and alarmism
When there is too much information, it can be difficult to distinguish between what is true and what is not. This can lead to confusion in distinguishing between true and false, especially when the media spread news that is not based on facts. Fake news is an example: they are false news that try to influence people on important issues or damage someone's reputation. This can lead to fear, anxiety, and even violence.
