In addition to reading your assigned textbook chapters this week, also conduct additional research the topic of the digital divide to learn more. Describe one problem caused by the digital divide and propose one solution to this issue. Discuss at least one article you found online that addresses this problem (include the url to the article). Digital Divide and Ethical Implications of E-Waste Digital Divide and Ethical Implications of E-Waste In addition to reading your assigned textbook chapters this week, also conduct additional research the topic of e-waste to learn more about this problem. Explain what you understand about the problem of e-waste and its many causes, and then propose at least one solution for this issue. Discuss at least one article you found online that addresses this problem and/or its solutions (include the url to the article).

Digital Divide and Ethical Implications of E-Waste

Digital Divide

This divide occurs when some people have internet access and others do not (Jo Education, 2020). The problem is caused by the unavailability of resources, such as internet access, and economic issues. The people mainly affected by the digital divide include elderly persons, inmates, unemployed persons, and mentally and physically impaired persons. An article on the digital divide by Jo Education (2020) explains the cause of the digital divide in Italy as poor bandwidth and network infrastructure. As a result, the digital divide in Italy affects a population of up to 40%. This causes communication problems and loneliness to those affected by the digital divide. The article offers several solutions for the digital divide, including economic equality and social mobility (Jo Education, 2020). However, the immediate solution proposal to reduce or eliminate the digital divide was; governments and companies should provide network infrastructure items through corporate social responsibility. These would include providing internet devices at a low cost, ensuring that the internet connection has good bandwidth, and educating people on how to use the internet (Jo Education, 2020). This solution would be to ensure that everyone who wishes to use the internet has the know-how, can access it at an affordable rate and that the internet is always available.

Ethical Implications of E-Waste

Electronic devices contain heavy metals that can cause harm to the environment and human beings (Cho, 2020). When the environment is contaminated with metals such as mercury or lead, water contamination occurs and causes harm to humans who consume it. To reduce e-waste, people are encouraged to use their electronic devices longer without disposing of them. This would reduce the amount of e-waste in the environment, and consequently, there would be fewer chances of harming humans and the environment (Harvard University, 2021). An article on e-waste by Cho (2020) states that in 2016, e-waste worldwide amounted to USD 64.6 billion. The e-waste could not be 100% recycled; just 20% was successfully recycled. This means that if more people used their electronic devices longer, the e-waste would be less, and there would be a possibility to have it recycled 100%. The article on e-waste by Cho (2020) notes that e-waste contaminates the environment with heavy metals such as mercury and lead. Consequently, the hazardous environment would harm human beings. Therefore, the article encourages humans to avoid disposing of their electronic devices too soon and instead use them longer to avoid excess e-waste in the environment.

References

Cho, R. (2020, July 30). What can we do about the growing E-waste problem? State of the Planet. https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2018/08/27/growing-e-waste-problem/

Harvard University. (2021, April 12). 6 ways to minimize your E-wastE. Sustainability at Harvard. https://green.harvard.edu/tools-resources/how/6-ways-minimize-your-e-waste

Jo Education. (2020, June 12). What is digital divide and how to reduce it. JO Education. https://www.joeducation.eu/what-is-the-digital-divide-and-how-to-reduce-it/