Digital Divide, Addiction, and Cyber Bullying

• Digital Divide pertains to the social and economic imbalance of the opportunities to access to, use of or knowledge of information and communication technology (ICTs).
• Digital Divide is referring to a gap between sector in the community who can access, has the skills and has desire to the internet and those who cannot.
• Digital Divide arise due to lack of knowledge on how to manipulate the technology and understanding of its benefits as well and some cannot afford to access because the income is low.
• Three divisions of Digital Divide:

  1. The digital native and the digital immigrants ;
  2. The digital rich and the digital poor; and
  3. The digital skilled and the digital unskilled
• Digital Natives are people who are born in the Internet and digital technology age.
• Digital immigrants are those born before the widespread adoption of computers and the Internet and has had to adopt digital technology later in life.
• Suggested ways to overcome skill gap:

  1. enroll on free online courses
  2. self-learning
  3. on-the-job training
  4. overcome financial challenges.
• Computer Addiction is the inability to control the desire of using the technology (like computers, smartphones and internet) or an extreme use of the computer which makes the person uneasy or anxiety in the absence of the gadgets.
• Effects of Computer Addiction:

  1. social problem
  2. change in behavior, relationships
• Three reason why computer addiction exist:

  1. Depression
  2. Loneliness
  3. Social acceptance
• Types of Computer Addiction:

  1. Information Overload
  2. Compulsion
  3. Cybersex addiction
  4. Cyber - relationship
• Information Overload - excessive online surfing resulted to inefficient at work and have less family interconnection.
• Compulsion - over time spent in online activities like gaming, bartering of stocks, gambling which cause to a problem at work.
• Cybersex addiction - exceed time spent in surfing porn sites that could interfere one’s relationship.
• Cyber-relationship - excessive time spent in social networking sites to make relationship online than spending time to real persons like family and friends.
• Different Symptoms of a computer addicted person

  1. Being less conscious of time spent online or with gadgets that enable Internet access;
  2. Failing to complete tasks or activities intended to be finished at the time you were using the Internet;
  3. Having less time with friends and family;
  4. Lack of remorse for your excessive Internet use; and
  5. Feeling more excited with Internet activities rather than real-life or physical activities.
• Computer Addiction can be prevented through:

  1. Setting limit in using computers and doing online activities;
  2. Talking to your family and friends and mingle with them most of the time;
  3. Organizing a non-computer related activity like sports; and
  4. Placing your gadgets away from you when not needed.
• The term bullying “refers to any severe, or repeated use by one or more person of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another person that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to their property.
• Cyberbullying is a type of offensive action toward another which takes place using electronic technology.
• Signs of Cyber Bullying:

  1. Being emotionally upset after using the internet;
  2. Being protective of one’s digital life;
  3. Withdrawal from family members and activities;
  4. Avoiding school or group gatherings;
  5. Wanting to stop using the computer or cellphone;
  6. Changes in mood, behavior, sleep, or appetite; and
  7. Avoiding discussions about computer or cellphone activities.
• How Cyberbullying can be prevented?

  1. Be optimistic person. 2.
  2. Share to the person whom you can trust with.
  3. Keep your password by yourself. Don’t share it.
  4. Always check the content before posting or sharing.
  5. Always log out your account after using.
  6. Respect and love other people and yourself.
• As a conscientious person and a responsible media consumer and producer, it is your unspoken duty to:

  1. refrain from cyberbullying;
  2. promote proper netiquette to your peers;
  3. foster mutual respect and courtesy by avoiding flame wars, and
  4. be vigilant against people’s intention to harm other netizens