Computer technology for developing areas: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added
Hypusion (talk | contribs)
m fixed some phrasing at the end of the short description
Hypusion (talk | contribs)
Updated a very outdated portion of the Problems Encountered section with more recent information
Line 94:
A pressing problem is also the misuse of [[electronic waste]] in dangerous ways. Burning technology to obtain the metals inside will release toxic fumes into the air.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/WN/discarded-computers-poisonous-african-children/story?id=9266722 How Discarded Computers Are Poisoning Africa's Kids (12/7/2009)]</ref> (Certification of recyclers to [[e-Stewards]] or [https://web.archive.org/web/20101004004645/http://www.r2solutions.org/ R2 Solutions] standards is intended to preclude environmental pollution.)
 
Finally, while countries may receive many donations of hardware, software, training, and technical support, internet penetration in developing countries is often extremely low compared with the developed world. However, in recent years, mobile internet has had massive growth in these regions and has become the primary way most people access the internet. Mobile internet penetration is not equal however, with rural areas often having much lower rates of internet access. This furthers the economic and cultural divide between urban and rural areas in developing countries as internet access is becoming more essential to everyday life.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rodríguez-Castelán |first1=Carlos |last2=Ochoa |first2=Rogelio |last3=Lach |first3=Samantha |last4=Masaki |first4=Takaaki |title=Mobile Internet Adoption in West Africa |date=9 March 2021 |doi=http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3798904}}</ref>
Finally, while the training, support, hardware and software may all be donated, it is rare for another vital component of technology, Internet access, to be made available at a discounted rate. "In about half the countries in Africa, one year of <nowiki>[dial-up]</nowiki> Internet supply will cost more than the average annual income."<ref>[http://www.schoolnetafrica.org/fileadmin/resources/Internet_prices_in_Africa.pdf Internet prices in Africa. A comparative study. (probably 2003)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728002618/http://www.schoolnetafrica.org/fileadmin/resources/Internet_prices_in_Africa.pdf |date=2011-07-28 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.satsig.net/gispa-afrispa.htm Is Africa in a Digital Quagmire? (11/6/2004)]</ref>
 
==See also==