Digital Divide

Vincent Koke

INF Computer Literacy

Ashford University

Meredith Kiljan

May 6, 2013

It didn’t take long after the technological boom that accompanied the internet era for us to realize that we now had to face the problems that would come from the Digital Divide. Almost immediately we began to see a separation of large proportions regarding age, race and lower income households. Whenever there is a divide created in society if it is not addressed quickly it can grow roots and have severe long term affects. This is a problem that if left alone could do catastrophic damage to the economic and social stability of the United States and the world.

When the technical explosion erupted decades ago, Hispanics and African Americans as well as other minority’s where much less likely to use one of these incredible machines. As time went by another problem presented itself. As this innovation grew it became obvious that these groups had less access to the Web. This coupled with slower online connections and antiquated equipment put them on the wrong side of the digital divide. This technology is becoming almost a necessity in this day and age. It is clear that having quality internet access can be beneficial in many ways. It gives the user an avenue to educational opportunities, employment, and public health availability. It is extremely critical that we are able to provide lower income households the ability to acquire a quality high speed internet service.

As the years have passed Hispanics and African Americans have become more likely than the general population to connect to the internet by way of their cell phones. However, connecting to the internet for entertainment purposes and connecting for professional reasons are two clearly different uses. There is nothing wrong with using the internet for social or entertainment purposes. It is important that we don’t lose focus on what a great tool the internet can be to help everyone with their careers. There are many websites that provide an excellent opportunity for professional networking. This can be an great tool for minority groups to understand what is in place to help them get to the higher levels of cooperate America. Fifty-one percent of Hispanics and 46 percent of African Americans use their phones to access the internet, compared with 33 percent of whites, according to a July 2010 Pew poll . Forty-seven percent of Hispanics and 41 percent of African Americans use their phones for e-mail, compared with 30 percent of whites. The figures for using social media like Facebook via phone were 36 percent for Hispanics, 33 percent for African Americans and 19 percent for whites. This data indicates that Hispanics and African Americans may be using this technology for entertainment rather than empowerment. It is difficult to fill out a job application on a cell phone. This issue in itself can perpetuate a division in the physical world.
Whither the Digital Divide?

Submitted by Sam DuPont NDN on 12/1/09 [pic]

The issue regarding Digital Divide among races is one that allows for many different opinions and perspectives. This divide is not one that should only be measured in internet usage alone. What is of more importance is how we are using the technology that has been developed. It is the responsibility of every American to ensure that all races have the opportunity and knowledge of the ever changing world of technology to enable them to use all the resources that are available. Things such as cost, and geographical location should no longer be factors as to whether all racial groups have access to these necessary tools. There is no doubt that there has been considerable progress made in eliminating the Digital Divide among races in the United States. Our goal as Americans clearly must be to eliminate any remaining divide among the many races that make up the great country that is the United States.

Among the many groups in the United States as well as the world the most common thread to this divide is the issue of income. As with technology or anything, the income of a household greatly affects the goods and services that can be provided to the home. The technology that is being developed and that is available today is extremely beneficial to all that have access to it. It can be used as a tool for professional networking, academic advancement, online banking, and of course for social activities. However, as in with anything you get what you pay for. First, there is the product itself. Whether it is a PC, laptop, I-pad, smart phone or whatever product the consumer may purchase to access the internet. These items can be very expensive. Then there is the service that is needed to utilize these products as efficiently as possible. As with the products themselves these services can become expensive as well. Internet access when provided by high speed services provides the user with much better utilization. This helps minimize the required time to access the many different tools that are available on the internet.

The largest group that is affected by this problem is our most precious resource, our children. According to the Pew Research Center, less than half of low-income K-12 students across America have broadband at home compared to more than 90 percent of higher-income families. What's more, nearly 30% of all Americans - approximately 100 million people - risk becoming increasingly isolated from contemporary life because they lack the Internet service and the skills necessary to use it effectively, Cox communications; cox communications makes crossing the digital divide easier with launch of Connect2Compete internet (2013) Telecommunications Weekly.

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Over the last few years programs have been developed to help low income families bridge the Digital Divide. One such program was started in Atlanta Georgia on August 24, 2011. It is sponsored by the Comcast Cable Company. Its goal is to provide an ambitious and comprehensive broadband adoption program. This program will be available to approximately a half a million homes. It has three primary goals, 1) To educate and help understand how the Internet is relevant and useful; 2) the cost of a home computer, and 3) the cost of the Internet service. Through programs like these it is hopeful that the Digital Divide among low income homes and more privileged homes will shrink and eventually disappear. It is important that the playing field is level for the children of this technological era to ensure not only their own prosperity but for the countries as well.

We have all heard the saying that no child should be left behind. The point of this phrase was that all children deserve a quality education. During this age of advancing technology it appears that all too often we have left the senior population behind when it comes to the Digital Divide. This is and should be a concern to all of us since people who are 65 and older now make up 13% of the population in the United States (Brandon, 2012). Since many of these people are now retired and where never given the opportunity to receive the proper training for ICT (Information and Communications Technology) they are not prepared to use the technological advancements that are available today. As people age we become somewhat set in our ways and are not always open to trying new things no matter what the advantages may be. Technology when not understood can be intimidating. Many times a senior might have heard of a particular problem that someone has had with ICT and this causes them to shy away because they fear of it happening to them. With identity theft on the rise at such an alarming rate many seniors feel that they just can’t risk their savings. It has become very clear that the best way we can assist our senior population is through some form of training. This can come in a variety of ways. It starts with seniors receiving assistance in picking out a device that fits their needs. It is best that a relative or a friend who has some knowledge of these products goes with them to help explain to them the advantages of a particular product. Many times seniors don’t feel comfortable asking someone they don’t know such as a salesperson questions they may have about topics they are not familiar with. By having a family member or a trusted friend with them they can feel comfortable asking any question they may have. Once a product is purchased it is crucial that assistance is provided in setting it up and reviewing the operating instructions. It is very important especially with seniors that the instruction they receive is taken slowly. This process is one that should be taken slowly. One of the worst things that can happen to anyone not just seniors is that they get confused and frustrated. It is important that this process is made as user friendly as possible. Something that will prohibit seniors from using computers more than other age groups is the fear of failing. If this happens they have a tendency to withdraw and even give up.

A program started in October 2009 called the Digital Inclusion Initiative by the Senior Service of America has helped, nearly 500 of Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) participants have assisted over 20,000 adults—most of them 55 and older and from all walks of life—in taking those first steps on their world-changing journey across the digital divide. These types of programs are essential in the effort to ensure there is no Digital Divide between seniors and the rest of the population.

In conclusion it is difficult to understand how someone might believe that there was never a Digital Divide. There not only was a Digital Divide, there is still one that exists in not only portions of the United States but in the world as well. It is an issue that cannot be ignored. There are those who are of the opinion that the problem will fix itself. I do not share that opinion. I think that as with most dividing issues in the United States and the world the problem starts with money. Since there will always be a divide in the financial stability of societies there must always be measures in place that minimize the chances for a Digital Divide. It is important that we advance together as a society and we do not leave the less fortunate or elderly behind. There are too many people who a Digital Divide could affect. If we were to allow this to happen it would do long term damage to both the economic and social well- being of society as a whole.

References
Cox communications; cox communications makes crossing the digital divide easier with launch of Connect2Compete internet. (2013). Telecommunications Weekly, 57. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1347588311?accountid=32521

Cable television companies; Comcast, Gov. Deal, U.S. congressman Lewis and Atlanta mayor reed unveil ambitious and comprehensive broadband adoption experiment. (2011). Technology News Focus, , 221. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/884156571?accountid=32521

Holscher, L. (2007). Broadband is closing the rural digital divide. Successful Farming, 105(12), 34. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/205418943?accountid=32521
Cloud computing removes the digital divide. (2012). Global Telecoms Business, , n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1082300068?accountid=32521
Digital divide remains A significant issue. (2005). Satellite Today, 4(183), 1-1. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/207578059?accountid=32521
Bowles, M. D. (2010). Introduction to Computer Literacy San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Dictionary.com. (2013). Digital Divide. Retrieved May 6, 2013, from Dictioary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/digital+divide