By Yashi Jain
Information in todays day and age is everything, and attaining knowledge about any subject under the sun is just seconds away, with access to a smart device and internet connection. However, is the process so effortless for everyone? According to UNICEFs recent report State of the Worlds Children 2017: Children in a digital world there exists a huge digital divide in the world, between developed and underdeveloped countries and also between men and women.
Basics of the report
The report that was published on 11th December sheds light on the number of internet users of who are children, along with highlighting the dangers as well as opportunities associated with this indispensable part of our lives. One in three internet users worldwide is a child, making young people the most connected of all age groups.
Children now have a digital footprint even before they can have a footprint on the ground. This digital change is a vital part of life now and it brings with it immense opportunities, especially for children from the disadvantaged sector. However, instead of it becoming the universal connector, the digital space is creating yet another divide, the report points out. Worldwide, 346 million youths are not connected to the internet, while only one out of 25 youths in Europe are offline, with the number in Africa reading a worrying three out of five.
The divide is only growing, not just between countries but also between genders. Globally, there are 12 percent more men than women online and the gap is even worse in low-income countries. Closer home, in India, only 29 percent of online users are female. The report unveiled that women are not allowed to use the internet solely because of their gender, clearly pointing towards a male-dominated digital space with a growing cleave.
Exclusion of the disadvantaged
This exclusion from the digital age can turn out to be very harmful to women in the long run. Given that in India women are already the disadvantaged sector, this divide will only make things worse. While India is pushing so firmly for digitisation, it is leaving out a large section of the society, which can prove to be counter-productive in the future.
UNICEF representative in India, Yasmin Ali Haque, at the launch of the report remarked, Girls and boys in India have the unique opportunity to benefit from the connectivity that the digital world can provide. India is famous as an IT hub and no matter where they live, every girl or boy should have a digital advantage. Increasing access to important information, building their skills, giving them a platform to voice their opinion are only some examples of how the digital space can be used effectively by all to bring every person on an equal footing.
The negatives of the digital space
Aiming to build a digital parity, digital safety, and a digital risk-free environment, the report also discussed at length about the various harms that may seem dormant now, but that may pose enormous risks for every child in the longer run. The vulnerability to risks such as the misuse of information, cyberbullying, and violence is very much prevalent and the researchers are worried that even though only one out of three users in the world are children too little is done to protect them from the perils of the digital world. With the presence of mobile devices, the process has become less supervised, making the situation even more dangerous for children.
The baton of responsibility must be handed to the government and the private sector. Along with digitising the country, they must ensure that the opportunities are equal for all and that every user is safe online. One can only hope that the divide is bridged and the next report ensures access to information is not based on gender and that there is no cloud of risk for children.
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