How the Internet affects Developing Societies

In human history, there is no doubt that the internet is one of our greatest achievements. The ability to access a range of information at the touch of our fingertips, to connect instantly to people all over the world in less than a second. It is so intrinsic to our lifestyles in the modern world that the United Nations have declared access to the internet as a human right. In accordance with this, we have seen technology deployed all over the world both in developed and developing countries. However, the conversation of how the internet could affect a previously disconnected society is rarely discussed - many people often assume that the world is connected already. However, as of 2020 Q4 only 63.2% of the world's population has confirmed access to the internet. There is also a gender gap regarding internet access - women in Africa are 50% less likely to have internet access compared to men. In Indonesia, men are only slightly more likely to have internet access than women, but account for far more internet traffic. We understand the benefits, but what are the pressing issues?

There are a number of factors that come into play surrounding new installation of the internet, and these can be split into 3 areas: infrastructure, skills, and dangers. When discussing infrastructure, newly developing societies actually benefit from an interesting phenomenon - the rapid development of better infrastructure. For example, in the UK many areas were originally connected to broadband through use of copper wiring. When fibre-optic became more widespread, this wiring had to be removed in favour of the new cabling. Countries implementing such large-scale infrastructure for the first time now have the opportunity to install more improved wiring at a far lesser cost in comparison to the more developed countries that have to replace the current cabling. This is not true for all countries however, as even though we have made rapid advances in the improvement of broadband speeds, developing countries can still find it extremely difficult to pool together the funds to allows large-scale infrastructure to be set in place.

The skills that are required to access the internet to its fullest capabilities also pose a problem. It is all well and good to install broadband (assuming it can be afforded), but without the knowledge to use it the equipment can be almost meaningless. Considering the way the world is being shaped, it is estimated that 90% of jobs in future will require technical skills. It is extremely important that those new to the internet are given proper training in order to make effective use of the technology. However, in areas that show extreme gender discrimination in regard to education, or access to the wealth that allows education to flourish this can be a real issue. Instead of creating a connected, futuristic community, there is a risk of widening the rift between genders as well as create further inequality between the poor and rich. When discussing how to implement internet access fairly, these factors are extremely important to consider.

One of the most important issues to remember is the ability to stay safe in an online environment. In the UK, we focus heavily on the importance of being careful online and how to keep your presence discreet when engaging in online activities. The same must be considered for countries who have just gained access to the internet. Without the proper guidance, individuals can become endangered to the darker side of online communities and scams that can take tolls on their mental health as well as their physical well-being. An example of a developing country suffering due to access to new forms of communication can be seen in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. It has been documented that the spread of hateful media played a part in fuelling the genocide. This is an extreme example, but shows that there can be issues if newly connected individuals are not warned about the perils that the internet can facilitate.

As teachers, it is important that we make students aware of the dangers that the internet can cause. However, when discussing the reasons to keep themselves safe, it can be beneficial to bring up the idea of introducing the internet to new countries - both from a safety point of view, but also in consideration of all of the external factors (money, skills, etc.). Have the students offer benefits and drawbacks that internet connectivity can have - this is especially useful for older students such as those in KS4, as you can bring up more mature discussions such as the Rwandan genocide and debate the dangers that the internet can offer. This is a way of engaging students who may tire of the topic of e-safety after hearing about it so often.