In recent years the speed, flexibility and affordability of rapidly evolving digital technology has enabled millions of young people in developing countries to join the digital world. And increasingly, technology is used in the global battle to hit child and youth-focused targets in global education, livelihoods and health.
In studies into how young people are using technology in Zambia, South Africa and Vietnam, it was found that 40% of Vietnamese children surveyed in rural areas used the Internet for educational purposes, with 34% sending school-related text messages. In urban areas this spiked to 62% and 57% respectively.
Now several high-profile tech companies have launched global initiatives to increase access to technology by children and young people in poor countries. Computer giant Dell runs its own computer hardware and literacy programme called Youth Learning, which initially launched in India and is now operating in 15 countries across the world.
“It’s our belief that access to technology brings young people into contact with the broader world, opening up access to education and vocational training in a cost-effective way,” says Deb Bauer, director of Dell Giving.
Also the potential of mobile technology as an educational tool is steadily growing. Duncan Clark, founder of e-learning company Epic Group, goes further, saying, “Every child is massively motivated to learn to text, post and message on mobiles. The evidence shows they become obsessive readers and writers through mobile devices.”
Additionally, the Text to Change (TTC) project in Africa recently launched the Voice Africa’s Future project, which aims to engage 150,000 young people across Africa by asking them to text what they think the future of their own countries should look like. In Ghana, a community of young people formed a netizens community and set up a hashtag on twitter – GhanaDecides – to try and involve more voters to get involved in the general elections.
Yet the wholesale acceptance of the idea of reaching young people through technology has also proved problematic. The darker side of Internet use and issues over privacy and safety of children and young people in developing countries is a concern.
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