Community Technology Centres as Bridges to Foster Social and Digital Equality amongst the Youth in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6549/9842Keywords:
Civil society, telecentres, information and communication technology, information society, e-inclusion, social informatics.Abstract
This article sheds some light on the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in promoting youth development in selected communities in KwaZulu-Natal. The study targeted the youth in four selected community technology centres in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Through a survey, 207 youth were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. In addition, data were tabulated and presented using tables, frequencies and percentiles. The study was informed by the diffusion of innovations theory. The results indicate that a variety of ICTs are available in the telecentres to provide the youth with much-needed access to information and improved communication. The study recommends that there should be sufficient and coherent government policies regulating the training of the youth to effectively use these ICTs. Government should ensure that adequate ICT training is offered to the youth. In addition, there is a need to gradually include ICT training in the school curricula at all levels, including primary education.
References
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Attwood, H., K. Diga, E. Braathen, and J. May. 2013. “Telecentre Functionality in South Africa: Re-enabling the Community ICT Access Environment.” Journal of Communication and Information 9 (4): 23–45. https://doi.org/10.15353/joci.v9i4.3137.
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Irvine, A. B., V. A. Gelatt, M. Hammond, and J. R. Seeley. 2015. “A Randomized Study of Internet Parent Training Accessed from Community Technology Centers.” Prevention Science 16 (4): 597–608. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-014-0521-z.
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Nasi, G., F. Frosini, and D. Cristofoli. 2011. “Online Service Provision: Are Municipalities really Innovative? The Case of Larger Municipalities in Italy.” Public Administration 89 (3): 821–839. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9299.2010.01865.x.
Nemer, D. 2015. “From Digital Divide to Digital Inclusion and beyond: A Positional Review.” The Journal of Community Informatics 11 (1): 44–65. https://doi.org/10.15353/joci.v11i1.2857.
Nemer, D. 2018. “Wired Mobile Phones: The Case of Community Technology Centers in Favelas of Brazil.” Information Technology for Development 24 (3): 461–481. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2018.1478383.
Neville, K. 2012. “Libraries, Telecenters, Cyber-cafes and Public Access to ICT: International Comparisons.” Australian Library Journal 61 (4): 321–322. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049670.2012.10739077.
Odat, A. M. 2012. “E-government in Developing Countries: Framework of Challenges and Opportunities.” Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 46 (2): 1013–1021.
Osman, M. A., and M. Tanner. 2017. “The Influence of Telecentre Components on the Psychological Empowerment of Underserved Community Members in the Western Cape, South Africa.” The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries 81 (1): 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1681-4835.2017.tb00596.x.
Rogers, E. M. 1995. Diffusion of Innovations. New York: Free Press.
Sanders, W., J. Parent, R. Forehand, A. D. Sullivan, and D. J. Jones. 2016. “Parental Perceptions of Technology and Technology-focused Parenting: Associations with Youth Screen Time.” Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 44 (2): 28–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2016.02.005.
Schaefer, S. E., C. C. Ching, H. Breen, and J. B. German. 2016. “Wearing, Thinking, and Moving: Testing the Feasibility of Fitness Tracking with Urban Youth.” American Journal of Health Education 47 (1): 8–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2015.1111174.
Stavrinos, D., C. N. Pope, J. Shen, and D. C. Schwebel. 2018. “Distracted Walking, Bicycling, and Driving: Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Mobile Technology and Youth Crash Risk.” Child Development 89 (1): 118–128. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12827.
Statistics South Africa 2019. “Mid-year Population Estimates.” Online: http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=P0302 Visited 12/04/2019.
Subramaniam, M., L. Scaff, S. Kawas, K. M. Hoffman, and K. Davis. 2018. “Using Technology to Support Equity and Inclusion in Youth Library Programming: Current Practices and Future Opportunities.” The Library Quarterly 88 (4): 315–331. https://doi.org/10.1086/699267.
Tobin, I. M., G. Porumbescu, and H. Lee. 2013. “ICT as a Buffer to Change, a Case Study of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Dasan Call Center.” Public Performance and Management Review 36 (3): 436–455. https://doi.org/10.2753/PMR1530-9576360303.
Wamuyu, P. K. 2017. “Bridging the Digital Divide among Low Income Urban Communities. Leveraging Use of Community Technology Centers.” Telematics and Informatics 34 (8): 1709–1720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2017.08.004.
Zawada, B., K. Wallmach, Ngcobo et al. 2007. Advisory Report on the Provision of Government Information and Services for Socio-economic Development in Local South African Languages of Choice, Using ICT Platforms. Research commissioned by the Presidential National Commission on Information Society and Development. Pretoria: Department of Linguistics, University of South Africa.
Zolfani, S. H., M. Sedaghat, and E. K. Zavadska. 2012. “Performance Evaluating of Rural ICT Centres (Telecentres), Applying Fuzzy AHP, Saw-g and Topsis Grey: A Case Study in Iran.” Technological and Economic Development of Economy 18 (2): 364–387. https://doi.org/10.3846/20294913.2012.685110.
Al-zhrani, S. 2010. “Development of a Soft System Model to Identify Information and Communications Technology Issues and Obstacles in Government Organizations in Saudi Arabia.” Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 12 (1): 93–104.
Anderson, B., M. Brynin, J. Gershung, and Y. Raban. 2007. Information and Communication Technologies in Society, E-living in a Digital Europe. New York: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203968239.
Attwood, H., K. Diga, E. Braathen, and J. May. 2013. “Telecentre Functionality in South Africa: Re-enabling the Community ICT Access Environment.” Journal of Communication and Information 9 (4): 23–45. https://doi.org/10.15353/joci.v9i4.3137.
Barzilai-Nahon, K. 2006. “Gaps and Bits: Conceptualizing Measurements for Digital Divide/s.” The Information Society 22 (5): 269–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972240600903953.
Clarke, R. 1999. “A Primer in the Diffusion of Innovations Theory.” Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd.
Correa, T. 2015. “The Power of Youth: How the Bottom-up Technology Transmission from Children to Parents Is Related to Digital (In)equality.” International Journal of Communication 9 (24): 23–44.
Fillip, B., and D. Foote. 2007. Making the Connection: Scaling Telecentres for Development. Washington DC: Academy for Education Development.
Gomez, R. 2014. “When you Do not Have a Computer: Public-access Computing in Developing Countries.” Information Technology for Development 20 (3): 274–291. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2012.751573.
Heron, K. E., R. S. Everhart, S. M. McHale, and J. M. Smyth. 2017. “Using Mobile-technology-based Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Methods with Youth: A Systematic Review and Recommendations.” Journal of Pediatric Psychology 42 (10): 1087–1107. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsx078.
Irvine, A. B., V. A. Gelatt, M. Hammond, and J. R. Seeley. 2015. “A Randomized Study of Internet Parent Training Accessed from Community Technology Centers.” Prevention Science 16 (4): 597–608. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-014-0521-z.
London, R. A., M. Pastor Jr, L. J. Servon, R. Rosner, and A. Wallace. 2010. “The Role of Community Technology Centers in Promoting Youth Development.” Youth and Society 42 (2): 199–228. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X09351278.
Martin, N. J., E. J. Ameluxen-Coleman, and D. M. Heinrichs. 2015. “Innovative Ways to Use Modern Technology to Enhance, rather than Hinder, Physical Activity among Youth.” Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 86 (4): 46–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2015.1009205.
Mbatha, B. T. 2013. “Exploring the Potential of Electronic Commerce Tools in South African SME Tourism Service Providers.” Information Development 29 (1): 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666912452270.
Mbatha, B. T. 2016. “Pushing the Agenda of the Information Society: ICT Diffusion in Selected Multipurpose Community Telecentres in South Africa.” Information Development 32 (4): 937–952. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666915575544.
Mbatha, B. T., and N. C. Lesame. 2013. “Diffusion and Adoption of Information and Communication Technologies in the Public Sector: The Case of Selected Government Departments in KwaZulu-Natal.” Journal for Communication Sciences in Southern Africa 32 (2): 40–62. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v32i2.1638.
Mbatha, B. T., and D. N. Ocholla. 2011. “Contextualising the Use of ICTs in the Public Sector, the Case of Selected Government Departments in KwaZulu-Natal.” Mousaion 29 (2): 193–208.
Mbatha, B. T., D. N. Ocholla, and J. Le Roux. 2011. “Some Implications of Information and Communication Technologies on Public Service Work Environments in South Africa.” Information Development 27 (4): 47–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666911424864.
Montague, A. E., K. J. Varcin, M. B. Simmons, and A. G. Parker. 2015. “Putting Technology into Youth Mental Health Practice: Young People’s Perspectives.” Sage Open 5 (2): 12–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015581019.
Mtega, W. P., and A. W. Malekani. 2009. “Analyzing the Usage Patterns and Challenges of Telecentres among Rural Communities: Experience from four Selected Telecentres in Tanzania.” International Journal of Education and Development Using ICT 5 (2): 1–15.
Naik, G., S. Joshi, and K. P. Basavaraj. 2012. “Fostering Inclusive Growth through e-Governance Embedded Rural Telecenters in India.” Government Information Quarterly 29 (1): 82–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2011.08.009.
Nasi, G., F. Frosini, and D. Cristofoli. 2011. “Online Service Provision: Are Municipalities really Innovative? The Case of Larger Municipalities in Italy.” Public Administration 89 (3): 821–839. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9299.2010.01865.x.
Nemer, D. 2015. “From Digital Divide to Digital Inclusion and beyond: A Positional Review.” The Journal of Community Informatics 11 (1): 44–65. https://doi.org/10.15353/joci.v11i1.2857.
Nemer, D. 2018. “Wired Mobile Phones: The Case of Community Technology Centers in Favelas of Brazil.” Information Technology for Development 24 (3): 461–481. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2018.1478383.
Neville, K. 2012. “Libraries, Telecenters, Cyber-cafes and Public Access to ICT: International Comparisons.” Australian Library Journal 61 (4): 321–322. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049670.2012.10739077.
Odat, A. M. 2012. “E-government in Developing Countries: Framework of Challenges and Opportunities.” Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology 46 (2): 1013–1021.
Osman, M. A., and M. Tanner. 2017. “The Influence of Telecentre Components on the Psychological Empowerment of Underserved Community Members in the Western Cape, South Africa.” The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries 81 (1): 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1681-4835.2017.tb00596.x.
Rogers, E. M. 1995. Diffusion of Innovations. New York: Free Press.
Sanders, W., J. Parent, R. Forehand, A. D. Sullivan, and D. J. Jones. 2016. “Parental Perceptions of Technology and Technology-focused Parenting: Associations with Youth Screen Time.” Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 44 (2): 28–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2016.02.005.
Schaefer, S. E., C. C. Ching, H. Breen, and J. B. German. 2016. “Wearing, Thinking, and Moving: Testing the Feasibility of Fitness Tracking with Urban Youth.” American Journal of Health Education 47 (1): 8–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2015.1111174.
Stavrinos, D., C. N. Pope, J. Shen, and D. C. Schwebel. 2018. “Distracted Walking, Bicycling, and Driving: Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Mobile Technology and Youth Crash Risk.” Child Development 89 (1): 118–128. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12827.
Statistics South Africa 2019. “Mid-year Population Estimates.” Online: http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=P0302 Visited 12/04/2019.
Subramaniam, M., L. Scaff, S. Kawas, K. M. Hoffman, and K. Davis. 2018. “Using Technology to Support Equity and Inclusion in Youth Library Programming: Current Practices and Future Opportunities.” The Library Quarterly 88 (4): 315–331. https://doi.org/10.1086/699267.
Tobin, I. M., G. Porumbescu, and H. Lee. 2013. “ICT as a Buffer to Change, a Case Study of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Dasan Call Center.” Public Performance and Management Review 36 (3): 436–455. https://doi.org/10.2753/PMR1530-9576360303.
Wamuyu, P. K. 2017. “Bridging the Digital Divide among Low Income Urban Communities. Leveraging Use of Community Technology Centers.” Telematics and Informatics 34 (8): 1709–1720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2017.08.004.
Zawada, B., K. Wallmach, Ngcobo et al. 2007. Advisory Report on the Provision of Government Information and Services for Socio-economic Development in Local South African Languages of Choice, Using ICT Platforms. Research commissioned by the Presidential National Commission on Information Society and Development. Pretoria: Department of Linguistics, University of South Africa.
Zolfani, S. H., M. Sedaghat, and E. K. Zavadska. 2012. “Performance Evaluating of Rural ICT Centres (Telecentres), Applying Fuzzy AHP, Saw-g and Topsis Grey: A Case Study in Iran.” Technological and Economic Development of Economy 18 (2): 364–387. https://doi.org/10.3846/20294913.2012.685110.
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Published
2023-10-17
How to Cite
Mbatha, Blessing. 2023. “Community Technology Centres As Bridges to Foster Social and Digital Equality Amongst the Youth in South Africa”. Commonwealth Youth and Development 21 (1):19 pages . https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6549/9842.
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