Allison Ray - Technology: A 21st Century Issue in the United Kingdom

England is a country that boasts a rich and lengthy history. Since it’s beginnings in 1^st century BC as part of the Roman Empire, it has progressively prospered – especially in regards to science and technology. Dating back to theorist Isaac Newton whose laws of motion are today considered a cornerstone of science, England has produced some of the greatest minds and inventions known to man. So why is it that the citizens of a country with such a historical presence in the technological world are struggling to keep up with modern day developments? Moving forward into the 21^st century, England and the United Kingdom’s most challenging task will be to close the digital divide and keep their citizens informed and accessible to modern day technologies.

            Inventors Sir William Fothergill Cooke and Charles Wheatstone sent the first commerical electric telegraph in 1802. 40 years later the first practical telephone was patented by Alexander Graham Bell. All three of these men were born and bred in the United Kingdom and today are considered fundamental players in the technological sphere. In present day England, communication skills lag behind the average developed country. For example, according to a statistic provided by Statista only 59% of United Kingdom inhabitants will use smartphones in 2015 with a predicted 9% growth in the next two years. 

Furthermore, only 85% of citizens in 2015 have used the Internet. In fact, according to www.21stcenturychallenges.org 5.9 million adults in the UK have never used the Internet even though between 75% to 90% of jobs require a sufficient amount of computer skills. Ironically enough, the inventor of the World Wide Web is Tim Berners-Lee, a professor from London, England. Why is digital equality in the United Kingdom so important? The answer is simple: having a basic knowledge of computers today can connect people to newer and better jobs, open up communication within communities, and allow them to access online products and services.

            There are three important steps to closing the digital divide in the 21^st century. The first step is to adjust affordability to suit the average user. Research has shown that non-users of the Internet estimate the cost to be far higher than it actually is. The implementation of “pay-as-you-go” packages has shown to be successful in lower-income areas where technology use is lacking. In addition, access to training courses and support has also proven to be very well accepted. The second step is to motivate those who don’t have cell phones or use the Internet to open their horizons. 39% of those who do not use the Internet in England expressed that they have no need or interest in investigating the benefits further. It is important that appropriate content be promoted so as to raise the interest of the older demographic who may lack the motivation to take part in new technologies because they don’t feel it has anything to offer them. The last step to closing the digital divide is to enforce skills and confidence. Training nonusers on traditional computers will increase the confidence they have about their abilities. Touch screen computers with a more fluid and simplistic design are also helping to make this step easier to take. Educating these individuals on concerns such as viruses and online privacy will also increase their confidence.