Another Aspect of Digital Divide

Normally, the issue of digital divide is often associated with one’s internet connectivity. However, there is more to this. One thing that we often overlook is the lack of devices. This problem is often experienced by people that suffer from urban poverty. Their areas have decent internet coverage but they cannot afford to have enough devices to support the digital usage.

This becomes a different problem when we compare it with the problems that people in the rural areas often face. We can see this problem mostly in a big family. While online and distance learning took place in the pandemic, it is hard for some parents to provide enough devices for their children to get into class since the school session is being held simultaneously for everyone.

There are various stories reported on this such as six siblings sharing 2 gadgets reported by Malaysia Gazette, single mother who shared one smartphone with seven children reported by Malay Mail and many other cases. Also, Malaysia Now reported that a couple living in a PPR in Seri Semarak, Kuala Lumpur has to share devices with 14 kids.

                                                               

                                                                       (Photo Credit: The Star)

Some teachers and schools have taken an initiative to conduct online learning with a flexible schedule to overcome this problem but it clearly is not enough to overcome this. Most of the donations given out during the pandemic only covered basic necessity and did not cover this kind of need. 

Some foundations tried to send out free phones for students in need to help them with their school session. However, the phone that has been given out is a very low-quality phone and has caused several incidents related to it. The foundation, obviously, denied all the allegations made towards them regarding the phone cases. These cases are not a very small case. Some even reported that their phone caused a fire that ended up burning their whole house down. Also, a few cases like this also can be seen going viral on social media.

However, there is no clear end to all of these cases since the related parties deny all the allegations made towards them and there is no further investigation being held.

                                                       

                                                               (Photo Credit: Media Permata Online)

We have to be more aware of this issue since many people are suffering from this yet there is not enough effort that has been done to solve or even mitigate this issue. The government can design more customized aid so that it can help people with what they really need rather than multiple same aid. This way, we can tackle a wider area of issues and needs. Also, people can get what they really need and avoid wasting resources on people that do not need them.

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