| Digital Divide
The development of information and communication technology has divided people around the world into two groups in terms of the convenience of its use. One group is benefiting from the use of modern information and communication technology and the other group is not. The digital divide exists between people around the world, and even within a country. The digital divide is associated with the use of other devices such as telephones, televisions, and cellular phones. The world is becoming computerized very fast, and those who have access to computerized equipment are getting ahead. Those who don't get it are left behind. That is, the gap between those who are computer literate and those who are not is known as the digital divide.
Causes of the increasing digital divide: In the last ten years, significant improvements have been made through the Internet. Today there are over 1 billion websites on the internet and billions of users are using the internet. As information and communication technology advances, the digital divide is becoming more complex. A country's digital divide can be caused by both internal and external factors.
First, bringing the benefits of information and communication technology to the doorsteps of common people requires expensive equipment, which is possible for developed countries, but not possible for underdeveloped countries. For example, for Japan, satellite installation or interconnection through fibre optic cable is possible, but for Bangladesh, it is impossible at the moment. So the people of developed countries will be able to enjoy the benefits of technology due to good economic conditions.
Secondly, data exchange requires various devices like computers, modems, etc. But it is not possible for the people of third world countries. In many cases, developed countries produce information and communication technology-related equipment, while underdeveloped countries use them. Again, due to high taxes in the case of importing machinery in underdeveloped countries, it is going beyond the purchasing power of common people.
Thirdly, the resources of developing countries are very limited, so the government is not able to help in reducing the digital divide. The government takes various steps to reach the remote areas of developed countries with information and communication technology and arranges various pieces of training to initiate them to use the Internet.
Causes of increasing digital divide in Bangladesh:
Buying information and communication technology-related equipment is a big problem for Bangladeshis with limited income. Some people in our country have a very high annual income, while most of them have a very low annual income. As a result, the number of economically well-off people who can afford ICT-related equipment is very low. As a result, the digital divide is increasing.
Necessary means to remove the digital divide: The need to bridge the digital divide; starting from the current job advertisements, business and commerce, news, admission information in educational institutions and even shopping at home are all becoming dependent on the Internet. Currently, information has become dependent on money, that is, those who have money are rich in information, and those who do not have not. Money and information are so interrelated that when one increases, the other automatically increases. Information and communication technology should be used for all the benefits to be enjoyed equally in society.
Governments of developed countries can plan for high-speed cable networks across the country, but this is not possible for a country like Bangladesh. Keeping in mind the limited resources, Bangladesh should think about reducing the digital divide. The first way to bridge the digital divide in Bangladesh is to provide access to advanced communication systems to rural people. For Bangladesh, a country with limited resources, it is not possible to eliminate the digital divide in a short period.
The number of internet users in Bangladesh will increase if the general public is aware of the benefits of using the internet. People in cities are becoming more information enriched through the use of the internet than people in villages.
Several steps have been taken in Bangladesh which will be effective to eliminate this disparity. In the past few years, taxes on ICT products, especially computers, have been reduced. Information centres have been established in every union so that the common people of the village can use ICT. Where necessary information and services are available at low cost. Compulsory ICT education from class VI will also help bridge the digital divide. Because the poor and marginalized people who live in remote corners of the country cannot afford or have the opportunity to learn computers separately. Many cannot afford to buy and maintain a computer. That is why institutionalized education efforts should educate everyone in minimum ICT education.
Information and communication technology and economic development: Today, due to the availability and speed of internet connection and office automation, billions of business transactions are created by creating billions of clicks every day, and billions of messages and e-mails are shared. Every day numerous web pages are created. This huge campaign is conducted through the internet. That is why it is said that the current Internet is the driver of economic growth and the regulator of job creation.
In today's world, information technology has changed the way of doing business. It has speeded up the processing of information while automating manual operations. Internet is helping for quick business communication with PCs, servers, and cash registers. Nowadays every company is creating a business website through which the consumers can know about the company and the company's products. Companies can maintain round-the-clock communication with distributors, depots and factories through the Internet and intranets while significantly reducing their business operations and production costs.
In the past, it was almost impossible for many companies to sell products directly. These companies are forced to take the help of middlemen to sell products or services. But through the successful use of information and communication technology, through mobile phones, websites or other electronic orders, businesses can expand economic activities by controlling the production and supply of goods themselves, avoiding the violence of middlemen.
It is not possible to ensure economic emancipation in our country burdened with population burden by traditional methods. We have already seen that population can play the biggest role in our economic development. The export of manpower abroad and labour-intensive garments are the two main sectors of our foreign earnings. Exporting or outsourcing skilled manpower can multiply that income. Successful use of information and communication technology and greater participation of human resources in this sector can help transform the population into manpower.
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