The Digital Divide: Examining the Social and Economic Implications

The Digital Revolution is upon us. People, as a whole, have become so dependent on digital technology that they would not know how to survive without it. It refers to the change in technology that has been going on in the last years from analog technology and mechanical technology to digital technology. The revolution is characterized by rapid developments within information technology with computers becoming, faster, cheaper, more powerful, and smaller.

It is not hard to see the benefits of the digital revolution. The new innovations have brought about economic growth through globalization whereby one can even buy and sell products online without necessarily having to travel long distances in order to carry out negotiations and so the everyday life of people has been made easier. Also, electronic commerce as a result of the internet allows efficiency on the consumer’s prices for goods and services because middlemen which have the effect of accelerating the costs are eliminated because the supplier is in a position to sell his or her goods directly to the consumers. The Digital Revolution has created tools that are helps in sharing ideas. No longer you need to be the executive of a wealthy business in order to share your thoughts with others. Using social media and common technologies, ideas can be shared and innovation can be accelerated. The digital revolution links individuals and groups together. Never before have we been ready to communicate in real-time with others in distant corners of the planet.

While we will all recognize and appreciate the powerful advantages that the Digital Revolution brings to our fingertips, the digital revolution has become such a ubiquitous part of our lives that we may hardly notice the damaging effects that it brings along. A whole family can now live in a single house and yet live like single people because this revolution breaks down many relationships and our sense of community. While we will maintain friendships in distant states and countries, it breaks down all those friendships which aren't actively fostered within the digital realm.

Its negative effects also include the fact that the companies’ productivity is often reduced as employees spend much time pursuing their own interests using the digital devices that are found in the workplace e.g. playing computer games, chatting on social network sites such as Facebook and twitter, accessing emails, etc. Also, there is less privacy because the information that is stored in the digital devices is susceptible to be accessed by people who were not intended to view it. Similarly, digital technology breaks apart our sense of political and regional community. The idea is that we will choose our friends through social media, and stay connected with only those – without spending time with those that live and interact around us.

So, the digital revolution has spurred economic growth as a result of innovations and with personal computers' advent. As competition increases in businesses, innovation is being considered because the key factor for fulfillment then there's got to encourage underdeveloped nations to be innovative enough so that they can be able to compete effectively with the developed nations.