Television Addiction

 Digital Division

As American citizens, we are accustomed to the universal availability of the Internet and modern technology. Our advanced cellphones and computers keep us connected to the social and political issues occurring outside of our country, while allowing us to implement changes in our country regarding rules and regulations. Social networking, for instance, uses online tools to connect and exchange ideas that can be used to influence change. Our country thrives on technological advancement, with sleeker, more powerful gadgets such as cell phones, mp3 players, and televisions, which are continuously created for our usage. Without these forms of technology, we would lack many essential sources of information. This leads to my inquiry; can one survive without access to modern-day technology and the Internet? Without these means of technology, our lifestyles would be ancient-like, being that we rely on technology for numerous activities. One can definitely survive without modern day technology and Internet access, but it will surely limit you in career fields and keep you out the loop regarding important events. This idea of not having access to advanced technology is known as the digital divide and it separates people socially from others who have access to these means of technology.

The digital divide is defined as the inequality between groups of people in terms of access to, use of, or knowledge of information and communication technologies. The divide can vary between businesses, households, and third world countries. In the book Technology in Action, Alan Evans discusses the disadvantages of the digital divide in American society. He states, “Lack of access to the Internet and computers means that people don’t develop computer skills, leading to less chance of success in career and business. Less familiarity with the Internet can lead to less civic engagement and a lower level of active, engaged citizenship. (8)” Different characteristics are involved with the digital divide, such as race, income levels, and geography.

A study conducted within the last 10 years states that Whites are much more likely to own a computer and have access to the Internet, compared to every other race. This is due to a substantial amount of reasons, but mainly the income levels of African American and Latino families. People who live in disadvantaged communities should still be capable of obtaining the resources necessary for fine education. This is greatly related to the “opportunity gap”, that states students of color who live in low-income areas are incapable of acquiring the opportunities that non-colored students are provided with Because of this barrier, non-Whites are hindered from the great opportunities the Internet gives us, such as social communication, researching, and worldwide media.

The continuous progress of technology makes most of today’s careers web-based. With the universal expansion of the Internet, it is a necessity for all large businesses to have a website to advertise their products and services. The work industry has also progressed, with workers depending on computers and other various forms of technology. This ties in with the digital divide concept, because working with technology is a very significant factor in having a career. Many jobs in every career field nowadays look for computer experience, but there is a high rate of computer illiterate people, due to the digital divide. “Why is Computer Literacy Necessary” is an Internet article that goes in depth in describing the importance of computer literacy. “No matter where you find employment, there is a good chance a computer will be a basic tool you will have to use. It does not mean you need to know how to write computer programs such as Microsoft Word. You just need to know some basics. Having computer skills is as valuable as a basic education.” In the way technology grows, who knows what else we will have to end up learning. This widespread epidemic of computer illiteracy leads to people working minimum wage jobs, or even worse, unemployment.

The article also sheds insight on the dangers of being computer illiterate. “Here is a scarier aspect. Those who do not know computers are people who are targeted by scam artists because they know they will not know to look up information electronically. By the time a victim figures out they are a victim it is often too late.” This is an issue rarely discussed, but this can be detrimental to one’s life. The Internet is filled with an enormous amount of information, to the point where a scammer could steal all your information and commit fraudulent crimes. With these high-tech gadgets constantly released, it is not surprising that high-tech programs are also created by computer hackers to retrieve one’s information. One can simply switch to a public Wifi hotspot and a hacker will be able to store your personal information onto their computer. Instances such as this are what make it vital for one to know exactly how to use certain technology.

Of course it is possible to survive without being technologically savvy. There is more to life than the Internet, or the newest Apple Iphone. Some people even choose to isolate themselves from technology by purposely moving away from the city to a secluded environment. If one plans on obtaining a career in the inner city, it is inevitable that he/she will have to deal with technology. Businesses are beginning to strongly rely on technology in every aspect, for ordering products, accounting, recording information, and plenty other uses. Our goal with technology is to make things quicker and more convenient for our use, and it is a continuous trend. To rise to the top in today’s corporate society, modern technology must be implemented in daily life to know how to advertise information, promote the company well, and to establish a brand. Even if you are not trying to become an entrepreneur, technology is implemented in many jobs, such as fast food and retail.

The Internet in our day and age is a necessity. It attributes to various activities, whether you’re interacting with people on a social network, reading the newspaper, or online shopping. Recent studies from the University of Michigan show that without Internet access at home, teens from low-income households are more likely than their wealthier counterparts to use their cell phones to go online. It has become common for cell phones to have Internet browsers, so this is somewhat of a solution for those who do not have a computer. The Pew Research Center projects 88% of U.S. adults own a cell phone of some kind as of April 2012, and more than half of these cell owners (55%) use their phone to go online. However, it does not give the full experience of using a computer, so digital division is still an ongoing issue in our society.

Digital division is an overlooked issue occurring in our society that limits people from getting jobs and being aware of what transpires in our country and around the world. It is a significant issue, being that we rely on the Internet for everything in this day and age. People may have conflicting opinions on whether we should conform to an Internet-based society, but the simplest answer is we don’t have a choice. It will only get more technological, so we must conform and learn to implement it in our lifestyles.

Works Cited

Posey, Evans. "Technology in Action." Pearson. Pearson Prentice Hall, 27 Jan. 2012. Web. 26 Nov. 2012.

"Why Is Computer Literacy Necessary." Career Opportunities, 07 Jan. 2008. Web. 26 Nov. 2012

Smith, Aaron. "Cell Phone Internet Access." Pew Internet, 26 June 2012. Web.  26 Nov. 2012

From reality TV to soap operas, TV watching is a favorite American pastime. But is it possible to actually have an addiction to television?

Learn how to break a TV addiction in this addiction video from Howcast.

For more information on television addiction and the negative side affects associated with it here are a few website articles to take a look at:

http://www.turnoffyourtv.com/healtheducation/addiction/addiction.html

This article defines and identifies both the causes and symptoms of television addiction and then presents a plan to help break free of compulsive TV watching.

And if you struggle with television addiction:

http://untemplater.com/self-improvement/how-to-overcome-a-tv-addiction-in-10-steps-a-personal-journey/

This article explains how to overcome television addiction in 10 steps.