Reflection Essay
Vrishank Sai Anand
Grade 9 Student, Gems Modern Academy, Dubai, UAE
Abstract
Technology in the hands of a child will lead to a knowledge revolution. This essay aims to consider how reading and the right use of technology leads to a bright future for kids. Will education not be imparted through physical books? Will books move to digital like platforms like kindle forever? What are the solutions for these immediate changes, especially in areas where infrastructure including electricity, internet and devices are not accessible and affordable? How do we promote reading and progressively enable this by creating awareness, provide the technology and identify right channels (human or otherwise).
Keywords
Digital divide, knowledge revolution, digitization, disparity, socioeconomic status, underprivileged.
Introduction
Children are the future. Empowering them with knowledge equitably is extremely critical. Bridging the digital divide helps foreshadow the different possibilities and changes that may occur in the future. It allows children to be always ahead of potential challenges. We need to devise the best possible route to equitable education for children through books – digital or conventional or both. In-depth analysis and insights into the speed of digital penetration and its impact on children is the need of the hour. Making children aware of the digital revolution and its impact on society is critical. If we were to promote futures thinking amongst kids, the prerequisite for it is knowledge and reading. Therefore, be it digital or physical medium, it is important that children have equitable access to books. This reflection essay articulates the rapidly growing digital revolution, where every bit of data is taking an electronic form. Information is available on demand to the reader and in a medium that is most preferred and suitable to the reader be it a mobile device or a digital reader (Karlsen, 2022). At the same time, it throws light on the under serviced sections of the society where even basic requirement of providing physical books for education and enrichment of children still seems a far cry. There’s a fierce debate on whether we should provide good books to children in under serviced communities, giving them a wealth of knowledge, or if these kids should be included in the fast-paced shift from traditional physical books to digital reading in the ongoing digital revolution. If so, how, and when? We have a possible solution. With three like-minded classmates, we are trying to identify and help these under serviced children experience the joy of reading through book collection drives which repurposes used books donated by generous children to help their brethren who are not as fortunate as they are. More about this in the sections below.
Our First Problem – The digital divide and its impact on reading amongst children
How is the digital divide impacting reading in general?
The process of digitization is currently progressing at a rapid pace. This phenomenon has led to a widening gap between individuals possessing digital devices and those who lack the financial means to acquire and adopt such technology (Priyank Shaw, 2023). This disparity is commonly referred to as the “digital divide”. In the era of digitization, many books have gradually yet steadily transitioned to digital formats, with online platforms like Amazon Kindle providing their customer base a convenient digital version of their books. While this transition offers significant advantages, such as the convenience of purchasing books with a simple click on a digital device and instantly making it available for reading, it also presents certain challenges.
The expeditious digitization of books has made access to fundamental knowledge more contingent on the possession of digital devices. The trend of online book availability continues to grow especially since a book can be acquired almost instantly the moment one wants to buy it (Mauger, 2017). The more books become available online, one can imagine the potential challenge for individuals lacking the privilege of owning such devices. Such a scenario would result in a societal gap, that, from an equality perspective, is unjust and needs reworking. Reading with physical books does have its advantages. Studies have proven that our brain retains more information in enhanced format when reading from ink on paper than from eBooks, especially during skim reading. It is so because this deep reading enables more comprehensive thinking (B, 2024)
How does the digital revolution impact book read practices, specifically children?
The digital revolution has transformed book reading practices, especially among children. With the widespread availability of e-readers, tablets, and smartphones, children now have more access to a vast digital library of books, which enables greater convenience and flexibility in reading. E-books usually incorporate interactive features, like animations and audio elements, making reading a more engaging and immersive experience for young readers. Moreover, digital platforms like Kindle for Kids and educational apps offer personalized recommendations and tracking of reading progress, which incentivizes children to read more and explore a wider range of materials.
On the other side, it has raised concerns about screen time and its potential to detach children from other important activities. Exposing children to digital media poses concerns such as excessive screen time leading to health issues and sedentary behavior. Screen time-induced poor sleep, nighttime use of digital devices, and dependency on mobile phones have been associated with depressive symptoms. Sleep issues, excessive screen time, and exposure to content that is violent and fast-paced trigger dopamine and reward pathways in the brain, all of which have been associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behavior (Sudheer Kumar Muppalla, 2023). Unmoderated content quality may expose them to inappropriate material, impacting emotional well-being. Digital use can contribute to social isolation, disrupt sleep, and raise privacy and even lead to cyberbullying risks. Digital addiction and potential negative effects on cognitive development are also concerns. Parents must actively manage screen time, ensure age-appropriate content, and educate children about online safety and privacy. Vigilance, communication, and fostering a balanced lifestyle are crucial for mitigating these challenges and promoting a healthy digital experience for children.
Our Second Problem – There are children who still do not have access to books.
The importance of educating and empowering all children irrespective of creed, color, or status through books, is extremely important and essential to shape them as futurists.
The world is rapidly progressing, and the future is marked by constant transformation and unpredictability. It is important that all children, irrespective of their background, have the tools and opportunities to shape the future positively. Every child has a scope for making positive change. For this, access to literature and educational resources play a pivotal role.
Through books and literature, knowledge, empathy, and responsibility can be instilled in children from diverse backgrounds. This approach not only encourages them to navigate through the future but also encourages them to make change. Future proof policies designed by Future Literacy experts, competent policy development agencies, that will enable access to literature and educational resources reach every stratum of the society, especially children are the need of the hour. The Seventh Generation Principle, for example, is based on an ancient Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) indigenous philosophy that the decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future (Shermon Cruz, 2022). The challenge and imperative of creating policies that are fair to present and future generations has long been recognized in both indigenous and contemporary policy spaces. As barriers continue to be broken down based on creed, color, and social status, a better society is being developed so that every individual and child has a chance to showcase their voice. To empower all children, accessible education should be prioritized to empower children to become the futurists our world needs. However, there is a sizable percentage of children across the globe who do not have access to books. The SOWC Statistical Table for 2021 published by UNICEF on Indian children who do not have equitable education at the end of primary schooling is at an average 15% (UNICEF, 2021). However, this reduces to 7% at the end of schooling. Irrespective of a digital divide, these children are deprived of the joy of reading and accumulating knowledge through books in their early years which are probably the most important.
Analysis – The interconnection between the two problems
Causal Layered Analysis:
The interconnection is best explained through a Causal Layered Analysis (Inayatullah, 2009). Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) is valuable for its depth, considering issues at multiple layers and exploring diverse perspectives. In this case the Digital Divide on one side and the lack of books for under privileged children on the other. It aids in thinking about the future, fosters open dialogue, and provides insights into complex problems, promoting a holistic understanding. CLA is a structured yet flexible approach useful for addressing systemic challenges in various domains. Let us apply this futures method to analyze this interconnection.
LAYER 1: The Surface Layer
In our world, two pressing issues demand our attention. Firstly, the digital divide is widening current educational disparities, hindering underprivileged children’s access to digital devices and impeding their ability to benefit from online resources and digital books. Likewise, the second challenge highlights the importance of education through books, emphasizing the need for all children, irrespective of their economic status, race, or background, to have equitable access to knowledge, fostering a sense of community and global connection.
In our world, two pressing issues demand our attention. Firstly, the digital divide is widening current educational disparities, hindering underprivileged children’s access to digital devices, and impeding their ability to benefit from online resources and digital books. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, over 1.3 billion students worldwide have been affected by school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the digital gap and widening inequalities in access to education. Likewise, the second challenge highlights the importance of education through books, emphasizing the need for all children, irrespective of their economic status, race, or background, to have equitable access to knowledge, fostering a sense of community and global connection. Research by the National Education Association highlights the role of access to books in improving literacy rates and academic achievement, yet many low-income communities lack adequate libraries or book access programs, showcasing the educational inequities that exist in the world.
Problem 1: The digital divide is preventing underprivileged children from accessing digital devices for reading, limiting their access to digital books and online resources.
Problem 2: Education through books is essential for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or background, to help the future generation to stay informed, knowledgeable and be empowered individually. If this privilege is not present in the next few years due to the rapid growth of technology, children without access to online platforms will be deeply affected, thereby causing a global problem.
LAYER 2: The Systemic Layer
Problem 1: The digital divide is a systemic issue which is caused due to the lack of access to technology, influenced by factors like income inequality, geographical location, and inadequate infrastructure (such as access to electricity and internet services).
Problem 2: The systemic issue of unequal access to education affects marginalized communities (like minority groups, people in the lower economic strata and the ones that are underdeveloped), which leads to a cycle of poverty and many lost opportunities for the underprivileged.
LAYER 3: The Worldview Layer
Problem 1: The digital divide reflects a worldview that values technology and access to digital resources, totally replacing traditional forms of knowledge acquisition.
Problem 2: The importance of educating all children through books represents a worldview that values diversity and inclusivity, recognizing the potential in every child to contribute to society.
LAYER 4: The Myth and Metaphor Layer
Problem 1: The digital divide myth is the belief that technology is the sole gateway to knowledge, leaving underprivileged children behind. We should move together as a society. Expanding the digital divide will not only deprive underprivileged kids’ opportunities, but at the same time affect their education and future.
Problem 2: The myth of education through books as a universal right is grounded in the metaphor of a library of knowledge accessible to all, irrespective of their backgrounds.
Our Solution to resolve this problem:
Our solution, therefore, is to seek support from those “who have” to enrich those “who do not have” bringing the wealth of physical books, through book drives, to the doorstep of children who are deprived of this wealth and groom them as future leaders and thinkers. This will progressively close the gap from physical to digital content. Our mission in Dubai is to promote the joy of reading and making books accessible to less privileged children (in India), through our initiative “Pages of Joy”. If futures thinking needs to be promoted amongst kids, the prerequisite for it is knowledge and reading. As more ground is covered to bridge the divide, better is the overall uplift of knowledge amongst children. In addition data-enabled recommendations can then improve learning outcomes and strengthen connections between reading and development amongst children (Kozyrev). “Pages of Joy” intends to create a book reading groups. Reading supports emotional bonding between children and the person reading with them. Looking at the readers’ faces and being held physically close can help minimize children’s anxiety while promoting feelings of security and connectedness. Those positive associations with reading can then extend throughout the children’s lives (A Whole Health Story, 2023). The aim of this initiative is to reach out to children who lack resources and opportunities to engage with books. Through this approach, the initiative aims to provide books and establish libraries in communities where such resources are scarce. The intention is not to make this initiative cost intensive. The book collection drives will reach out to people who are ready to donate their books to a worthy cause and these books will be shipped to places where there is a need. Our vision is to create a global movement that involves communities, encouraging participation and expanding our network of support for less privileged children and upskill them through books and technology. The world today operates on a two-speed model. In the first there is an effort to improve basic education levels and on the second there is the digital revolution and its impact on society. The first model bridges the socio-economic gap while the second aims to equalize this through technology. Our initiative’s immediate focus is to provide books and infrastructure and progressively introduce technology to help bridge the divide. The future can easily vary, but technology in the hands of children will help lead the knowledge revolution. Reading books can encourage children to be intellectually curious, inspire problem solving, promote empathy, increase self-esteem, and help them understand the world and connect with people around them (Penn State Extension, 2020)
Conclusions
In conclusion, it is not merely about access to technology but encompassing disparities in digital literacy, affordability, and the ability to empower the lesser privileged sections of our society with the power of technology. Significant progress has been made to bridge the gap – firstly to increase the overall level of literacy and incentivizing and subsidizing child education and gradually introducing technological elements into their learning process and secondly, encouraging the habit of reading early in the lives of children. However, much work remains to be done.
Addressing the digital divide is a crucial step towards a more inclusive and prosperous society. To close the digital divide, collaboration and intent are vital. The digital divide represents a challenge and an opportunity. As the world continues to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology, it is imperative to remain committed to narrowing this gap, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in the digital age. By doing so, one can build a more equitable, innovative, and inclusive society where access to information and opportunities know no boundaries. But for that to be successful grass root issues need to be resolved to increase literacy levels, encourage children to read more, instil a sense of pride in them by giving them the treasure of knowledge and make them future ready.
References
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