Internet, a necessity in our world these days. It helps us access different things throughout the globe and makes the world a smaller place. Travelling through the lens of the internet, why not?
Internet, sometimes we just take it for granted, getting angry over the slow connection but have you ever wonder those living in the developing countries? To them, the internet is limited and considered as an upper-class privilege.
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There are 5 main factors that cause digital differences (Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project,2012) which I am going to look at how it differentiates my interaction on the web from others.
- Age group
- Educational attainment
Comparing me (some college) and my aunt (no formal education attained), we can see the differences in the usage and interaction on the web.
Personally, I feel that there is one more factor that contributes to the difference in behaviour. Your job or title. (I couldn’t find any research on it but I talked to a few of my friends and they do agree on the differences)
1. Influencers vs Commoners
In conclusion, as you age into a different phase of life (student, working adult, retired), your interaction on the web will also transit along.
References;
Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. (2012) Digital differences. [online] Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/PewInternet/digital-differences [Accessed 10 Nov. 2017].
Picture credits: Tax Collection
Word count: 284 words
Song Cai Ying 
Hey Cai Ying,
I the use external parties as comparisons as it gives me a better understanding of why these digital differences have impacted you. A good point brought up is that job and titles also affect how people interact on the Web as it gives them a different purpose, goals and skills. A designer uses it to share their work on artistic platforms, a student uses it as a source of information for their studies, a retailer uses it to create a platform to sell their products.
Seeing that you couldn’t find any evidence to support it. I found an article which I think gives us an interesting view on how celebrities use their social media:
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-networks/sarah-snow/2015-10-27/how-celebrities-use-social-media-infographic
Notably, most celebrities use social media to connect with their fans. Interestingly though, some celebrities like Chris Hemsworth and Bradley Cooper do not use social media at all because they feel that it hinders their performance on the big screen.
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What’s up Joseph!
Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to read my little blog entry! That article that you left in the comment, I appreciate that extra mile of effort!
I am still really amazed at how some BIG celebrities do not own any social media account in this era, sometimes I wonder what do they do during their free time! Cannot imagine my life without social media!
Side note, I think some words are missing from your first sentence (HAHA, that’s all! Have a great night ahead!)
Caiying x
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Hey Cai Ying,
Sorry about the missing word!
Correction:
“I like the use external parties as comparisons as it gives me a better understanding of why these digital differences have impacted you. ”
And thanks for the reply! I too cannot imagine my life without social media. I guess if you are rich and famous it may take away the necessity of needing a social media account hahaha!
Anyways! Looking forward to more of your posts soon! See ya next time!
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Hello Caiying, great post there especially with those amazing visuals for illustration! The main takeaway I have from your post are the 5 main factors for causing digital differences which I agree too. I have noticed that you have highlighted the differences in web usage by users in higher age group and lower education attainment, but what do you think about users that are unable to access the web due to their age and lower education attainment? For example, an elderly in their 60s may be unable to access the internet due to the lack of IT knowledge. Additionally, do you consider other factors such as motivation and attitudes that may also be the reason of digital differences? Lastly, what do you think is the greatest factor in resulting the vast digital difference globally? (Considering the underprivileged Africans as well) Hope to hear from you soon and thank you for sharing this eye opening read!
[155 words]
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Hey Jennifer!
Thank you for reading my little entry, and you can also create those visuals on canva.com #notsponsored
Yes, I agree with you on the point that some might not be able to access the net due to the lack of IT knowledge and not their age! I certainly didn’t think of it, thank you for opening up another perspective!
Secondly, certainly! Many factors contribute to the digital differences. Like what Joseph mentioned above, celebrities who do not use social media because it hinders their performance, this forms their attitude towards social media thus not falling into any of the 5 factors that were mentioned in my post.
Lastly, I feel that the country/state you live in is one of the most significant contributing factors. For example, if you live in a developing country, 100% of the workforce requires labor thus there is no need for digital technology to step in. So when there is no demand, there is no supply causing this differences in the digital world.
Thank you for such wonderful perspective, certainly did make me ponder upon some of the things mentioned! Have a great night ahead 🙂
Caiying x
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