Representation: Young People Changing the World

Monday, September 26, 2011

Image: Ugaldew (2006) via sxc.hu

Reflection on: 'The Internet is powerful... for those who can afford it' by James Curran, published in the Sydney Morning Herald, September 10, 2011

The Internet has such potential for student learning as well as social change.  Through the freedom of representation offered by the Internet, young people can break the boundaries of media stereotypes and pursue interests and friendships that defeat the limits of time and location.

The problem, however, is the Internet can only offer this opportunity to those who are able to access it.  In the Sydney Morning Herald on September 10, 2011, James Curran states that most informed commentators are optimistic about the ability of the Internet to transform society. Despite this, he also remains sceptical that it is mainly the affluent of the world who can afford to interact via the Internet.

Whilst this inequality does cause concern, many countries are recognising the ability of the Internet to contribute to the growth of young people into informed and productive citizens (Lee, 2009).  Initiatives such as the United Kingdom’s 'Home Access Program' and companies such as ‘Digital Divide Data’ in Kenya, Cambodia and Laos are offering young people ways to access and learn to use Internet technology and participate fully in the Online world.

In a similar way, Curran draws attention to the prevalence of representations created online by English-speaking Internet users (2011).  Whilst the world view of English speaking young people certainly may be very different from that of an Arabic user, the Internet does provide ways to transcend these boundaries with a plethora of translation tools, as well as interests (such as Japanese anime) that defy traditional cultural boundaries.

Finally, Curran states that it is not the Internet that will build a fairer world, but a change in society (2011).  In my opinion, the Internet has the potential to be the driving force behind this change, allowing young people to look beyond the bias of local communities and engage with a more global community.  In online interaction, students are not blinded by skin colour, appearance or religious affiliation.  Instead, the participation in a global culture via interaction of young people and the content they create and post to online spaces transcends these boundaries.

References:

Bringing Educational Creativity to All (n.d.) The Home Access Program [Brochure]. Retrieved from http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/homeaccess/011A_Intro%20to%20Home%20Access%20for%20schools%20leaflet.pdf

Curran, J. (2011, September 10). The Internet is powerful... for those who can afford it. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/the-internet-is-powerful--for-those-who-can-afford-it-20110909-1k1rv.html

Digital Divide Data. (2011). Social Impact. Retrieved September 25, 2011 from http://www.digitaldividedata.org/impact/

Lee, M. (2009). The UK’s home access program – a lesson for all. Education Technology Solutions, 33, 36-38.

Ugaldew. (2006). Dreams in Pi : 365(3.1416) 2 [Image] Retrieved October 1, 2011 from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/548770

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1 comments:

  1. Kerrie says:
    October 28, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    It is a wonderful thought that the Internet has the potential to reform society into a non-biased, collaborative, global community, however the inequities such as country differences, politically, socio-economically and linguistically all have an impact on how the Internet is accessed. According to the 'Internet World Stats' website, other issues that affect access are lower performing computers, poor quality connections and access to technical assistance. With this background knowledge I tend to agree with Curran’s perception that the Internet is not uniting the world but bringing the affluent together. Not all youth have access to new technologies and according to Webber and Mitchell (2008) this divide has been neglected and is possibly growing. As educators we need to educate the younger generation to see the world from a different perspective. The Internet is a driving force for change in society, however if there is the underlying problem of access to the Internet, then there is the risk of students being left behind. We need to continue to source ways to ensure our youth obtain access to new technologies to allow them to grow into informed citizens.

    Curran, J. (2011, September 10). The Internet is powerful... for those who can afford it. 'Sydney Morning Herald'. Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/the-internet-is-powerful--for-those-who-can-afford-it-20110909-1k1rv.html

    The Digital Divide, ICT and the 50x15 Initiative. (n.d.) 'Internet World Stats'. Retrieved October 22, 2011 from: http://www.internetworldstats.com/links10.htm

    Weber, S & Mitchell C. (2008). ‘Imaging, Keyboarding, and Posting Identities: Young People and New Media Technologies.’ In D. Buckingham (Ed.), 'Youth, Identity', and Digital Media. (pp 25-48). The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital Media and Learning. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Retrieved from:
    http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dmal.9780262524834.025

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