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Engaging the “don't-wants”

Digital cameras and camcorders have made many grandparents in the US and Europe go online, to stay in contact with their loved ones far away.
© e-Divide team

It is important to realize that many of the “don't-wants” are disinclined to use technology because of a lack of technological optimism (Monroe 16). Logically speaking, then, it stands to reason that the most effective ways to convince a large number of people in this group to embrace technology is to give them a reason to believe it will help them. As Viktor Mayer-Schoenberger, Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, States.

Many of the “don't-wants” will move online if they see a specific benefit for doing so. Hence, if governments want to overcome the digital divide, they may want to create incentives for the “don't-wants” to go online. Digital cameras and easy to use applications like iPhoto have made many grandparents in the US and Europe go online, to stay in contact with their loved ones far away. That's the type of “killer application” that will change behavior. (interview)

With “killer applications” such as this that give the “don't-wants” motivation to experience at least one facet of the world of ICT, it is possible to allow them to explore other parts of it as well, potentially converting them to “wants,” and perhaps even “haves,” with time.

This process of converting people from the other groups to “haves” is imperative to the process of achieving digital equity.

Leapfrogging to wireless and recycling computers

In some areas, it may be helpful to try leapfrogging to wireless technology. However, this is contingent upon a few key characteristics of the region in which such changes are being considered. If the region is on the proverbial home stretch of solving the access issue, then wireless technology would be an excellent solution. However, if the backbones of connectivity are weak or lacking, or if endpoint equipment is lacking, then wireless technology would be of very limited use (Mayer-Schoenberger). Also, recycling old generation computers rather than disposing of them entirely could provide underprivileged individuals with a more affordable alternative to obtaining such technology. Though the technology in such machines may be slightly outdated or the exteriors may not be quite as flashy and attractive as newer models, provided they function sufficiently, older machines could be sent to schools in areas with lower instances of access to provide them with a more cost-effective means of obtaining technology.