After last Wednesday’s class I
became overtly aware of the fact that I’m a bit out of the technology
loop. I usually blame it on the fact
that I’m recently returned from rural Indonesia and as a result have a strong
aversion to becoming inseparable from the internet. The more I thought about it
however, the more I realized that I couldn’t possibly be the only one in the U.S.
who hasn’t fully conquered computer technology or social media. We talked about identity negotiation in
regards to the advent of technology and new communication methods, but we
failed to bring up that despite the seeming ubiquity of the internet, much of
the older generation does not have basic computer skills or knowledge, or even
the desire to adopt these communication techniques.
Related to Brittany’s discussion
post on digital natives and digital immigrants, those not born into technology
have a more difficult time incorporating those ‘basic’ skills into daily life,
which we, as DU grad students, may not recognize because it seems like such a
central part of daily life.
So how does this apathy toward new
technology impact the technologically inept minority? I talked to a social worker who said that one
of the biggest challenges she faces is helping skilled workers find rudimentary
jobs because they lack fundamental computer skills. From filing applications online to being
competitive in the job market, there seems to be an unspoken prejudice against
those who aren’t competent in computer lingo. Although slightly dated, this article looks at
how recently unemployed job seekers are having increasing difficulty finding work
because they were born into an era of digital immigrants. The unemployed are already discriminated
against. This coupled with age and class
discrimination and the lack of knowledge about/access to new communication
technologies seems to be another way to oppress. Thoughts?
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ReplyDeleteI think we have to be careful about lumping older generations into a group that is technologically inept. While age can be a factor in computer knowledge that is not always the case. Those skilled workers my also include younger generations who don't actively use the Internet or who don't engage it in the sophisticated ways that some fields demand. For instance, I've met a number of chefs and culinary professionals who use the Internet to browse and find information, but attaching a file to an email is challenging. If you spend the day working with your hands crafting cuisine, you may not have reason to attach a file very often. I've seen this first hand with my husband and a number of friends; when the router and modem crash or need replacing, that's my domain.
ReplyDeleteI also think of the countless boomer grandparents skyping with grand kids across the country and globe as well as an article an old coworker posted about seniors sexting; we worked at Seniors' Resource Center. Here is an example of this interesting silver generation conversation online: http://inserteyeroll.com/2012/03/sexting-for-seniors-handy-guide/
Another factor, in addition to age, is truly social class. While working at Open Media Foundation I wrote numerous grants to improve access to internet in Denver's low income communities. The reality is, practice makes perfect, time spent online is a blessing and a curse. The more time you have, the more developed your digital skills ..which frequently garner higher wages. However, many youth don't have access because of financial constraints and physical resources, library hours, demand for shared spaces, time limits,etc.
So, I get the digital native and digital immigrant concepts, but those terms are also imbued with privilege. Not everyone born in the last 20-30 years can be a digital native; they were just born during an era when digital natives came to exist. Finally digital immigrants also represent a group with financial resources and consistent access to the Internet which means they can afford Comcast, an up to date computer and a modem every 3 years when technology changes. It's a whole conversation that needs to be examined through the lens of social class and the privileges of wealth.
Hi Maggie, what a great topic to write on. I agree and can see how the elderly and unemployed are being discriminated against through access to the internet, or the knowledge to use it. I work with an older woman in communications, who has a lot of experience, but she is even intimidated by the thought of social media, so I couldn't imagine how intimidating the thought of having to use and learn how to use a new age computer might go with the elderly.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, now that I think of it, my mother takes care of most of my grandmother's bills, so she doesn't have to use the computer. But I enjoy that my grandmother still reads the newspaper everyday, despite having cataracts. So she still finds ways to stay up to date. However, she is lucky that she has my mother to take care of her bills.
This conversation also reminds me of the digital divide and how some cultures in the "third world" go without access to plentiful information that we use everyday--to our advantage of course. It's just another debate about access and privilege that we have yet to explore.