The Participation Gap is Affecting How US Citizens Use Cell Phones

As technology continues to progress, the idea of a digital divide and a participation gap have began to develop.  Kevin Guidry from Indiana University writes an article discussing this topic.  According to his article, the digital divide is basically the gap between the number of Americans that own computers and have Internet access in their homes and the number of Americans that do not own computers and have Internet access in their homes.  Those who tended not to have Internet in their homes were underemployed, less educated, and Black or Hispanic. The participation gap refers to how those two groups mentioned previously use the Internet differently.  Those who do not have Internet access in their homes and have to use the computer in a public place obviously have many limitations.  For example, according to the National Education Association (NEA), they have limited times when they can use the Internet and limited websites they can visit because public places block certain sites.  Also, they do not have the ability to download, store, and upload material.

Personally, I believe that there is a participation gap and not a digital divide.  It is especially evident in a survey conducted by Pew Research Center regarding how registered voters use their cell phones to keep up with the upcoming 2012 election.  In the article “The State of the 2012 Election --- Mobile Politics”, eighty-eight percent of registered voters own a cell phone.  Twenty-seven percent of these voters used their cellphone to keep up with the election.  Nineteen percent have sent text messages to family and friends regarding the election and only five percent have signed up to receive text messages directly form a candidate or other group involved in the campaign.  Because three fourths of registered voters have the capability to send and receive text messages, it seems as it they just do not use their cell phones to its fullest capabilities.  It could be a result of not knowing how to work the cell phone or not wanting to.  Also, a little less than half of voters own smartphones.  Most of those who own smartphones use their smartphone to read other people’s comments on social networking sites regarding a certain candidate or about the campaign in general.  However, only eighteen percent of smartphone owners post their own comments on those type of websites.

The digital divide has lessened over the years in my opinion.  In three to five years, I can see the participation gap doing the same thing.  Right now, as the election is concerned, television is a major tool for reaching audiences.  The debates, commercials, and news stations give the voters a lot of information regarding the campaigns.  In turn, it causes voters not to turn their cell phones to obtain this information.  As technology continues to grow, I believe that in future elections the use of mobile phones will become more prevalent.  Apps and text messages will become common ways to reach voters especially the new generation of voters.  I believe this will be possible especially with the rise of smartphones.  

Australian Entertainment Industry is Similar to the United States

Although Australia is about 9760 miles from the US (about a 21 hour plane ride), their forms of entertainment are very similar to America’s especially in television.

TV remains number one source for entertainment in Australia

The citizens of Australia enjoy similar forms of entertainment as citizens in other countries.  Although the Internet and music are common forms of entertainment, television still is Australians first choice.  According to the Sydney Morning Herald, 63 percent of Australians preferred watching TV for entertainment.  The Internet and music followed behind in that order.  This same study, which was performed by Deloitte, showed that 64 percent of citizens in Australia prefer watching television live despite the fact new inventions such as digital video recorders (DVRs) have come into the picture.  Although it seems that the TV industry is thriving, funding from advertising might be in trouble.  Research has displayed that even though the citizens are watching TV, they are doing other things at the same time.  Most of the activity that occurs while watching TV happens on electronic mobile devices. This may cause a problem for audience-dependent television networks.  Also, advertisers may use this information and find other ways to reach specific audiences.

Public vs. commercial television both dominate Australian TV

Sports, news, game shows, and homemade dramas are the genres with the top ratings in Australia.  These types of show can be shown on a variety of networks. Like many places around the world, Australia has both public and commercial television.  According to BBC, there are three national commercial television networks that dominate in the country.  They include Seven Network, Nine Network, and Network Ten.  In addition to the commercial networks, there are three major public networks in Australia: National Indigenous Television (NITV), Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), and Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).  National Indigenous Television is the newest public broadcasting network.  It has been on TV since 2007.  This network is special because most of the employees are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (indigenous Australians).  According to their website, “NITV informs, entertains and educates its Indigenous and non Indigenous audiences with a rich palate of innovative, unique content.  We tell stories and showcase the rich diversity of culture, languages and creative talent from all over Australia.”  Popular shows on National Indigenous Television include NITV News, Grounded, Go Lingo and the Barefoot Sports Show.  The Special BroadcastingService launched on October 24, 1980.  The network is on the radio, TV, and online.  SBS mainly broadcasts in other languages besides English as stated by an article by BBC.  On their website, it states, “Through SBS Radio, SBS Television and SBS Online, we tell the stories of humankind in more languages that any other broadcaster in the world; at last count, more than 68 languages on radio, more than 60 on television and more than 50 online.”  The Special Broadcasting Service shows non-English films, news in foreign languages, less mainstream sports, and popular American shows such as South Park.  Lastly, Australian Broadcasting Corporation has been on the air since November 6, 1956.  ABC runs national and local public radio and television.  A lot of the shows come from British broadcasting content. Popular content shown on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation includes local and national news, mainstream sports, and kids’ programming.  According to ABC’s website, 74% of all Australians use their services each via television, radio, and online.  Also, ABC TV News reaches 7.6 million Australians each week. Digital TV is also available in the country through satellite and cable.

American influences visibly shown in Australian entertainment

You would be surprised by the influence the United States has on the entertainment industry in Australia.  I was shocked to see that many television shows have been adapted in their country.  Australia’s Next Top Model, The Biggest Loser, and Australian Idol are a few examples.

Also, American influences are shown in movies to my surprise.  My assumption was that movies shown in United States movie theaters would not be shown in movie theaters around the world.  Of course I was wrong.  Last week, Taken 2 led the Australian box office.  Not too far behind, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted was second.  Australians tend not to support movies created by their fellow citizens.  According to Screen Australia, films under Australian creative control made $42.9 million in 2011, which only makes up 3.9 percent of the total Australian box office. 

The Australian entertainment industry has been successful in sending its productions in English-speaking countries.  The good news is if you are planning to visit Australia anytime soon you won’t feel out of place as far as entertainment is concerned.