The Digital Divide

The Digital Divide

We live in a world that is changing very quickly. New technology is being developed as this paper is being typed. There will be those that will have the ability and means to embrace these technological changes, and there will be those who will be at a substantial loss. This is known as a digital divide. According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, "Digital divide is a term coined for the disparity between the "haves" and the "have-nots" in the technology revolution" (National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 2000). Our nation has entered into an age of information. However, there are still many Americans who are at risk of being left behind. There are three primary reasons for the digital divide in America. They are: The economic divide; the usability divide; and finally, the empowerment divide. If Americans wish to prosper in the 21st century, we must start bridging the digital divide.

The price of computers is still a factor in the digital divide. Even though, the price of computers has dropped significantly in the last few years, some people still cannot afford to buy a computer. The poor and poverty stricken people of the United States obviously cannot afford to purchase any high technology products, including computers. The income gap between rich and poor Americans has increased by almost fifty percent over the last quarter century (U.S. Census Bureau, December 13, 2000). This would lead to the conclusion that those in society who are currently doing well, will more than likely continue to do well, and they will benefit the most from technology. The poor will continue to struggle.

Even if computers are able to be purchased, the price of internet service is still an issue for families with economical struggles. About 35 million homes don't have broadband (Severson, 2011). This has recently been addresses by the Federal Communications commission. The FCC will part of an initiative, called Connect-to-Compete, (along with Microsoft Corp) which will offer internet service for $9.95 per month. This will be available to homes with children that are eligible for free school lunches. Cable companies will begin to offer this service next summer, according to Svensson. There will still be some that might not be able to afford this cost. Hopefully we have an answer for this as well. "For those who can't afford those prices, Morgan Stanley is pledging to develop a microfinance lending program for community-based financial institutions" (Severson, 2011).

There are also other groups that are aiming to close the divide. "Speed Matters" is a website that has been released by The Communications Workers of America. The website focuses on a national high speed broadband policy. A group called "One Laptop per Child" hopes to provide cheap computers for poverty stricken children around the world (Glaser, 2007).

Thus, it seems as if the economic divide is closing slowly. The offering of cheaper computers and internet service is helping. If initiatives such as, Connect-to-Compete, continue to recognize that economics contribute to create a digital division, then hopefully this gap can continue to be filled. Soon, the economic divide might not be a contributor to the digital divide.

Next, the usability divide must be addressed. An additional definition of the digital divide is: "This term recognizes the fact that while some people have easy access to computers and all the benefits that they provide, there are many other people who are cut off from them" (Bowles, 2010). If this statement is true an accurate, then the usability divide in our country is a definite problem.

The first issue that must be addressed to fix the current usability divide is illiteracy and low literacy skills. Forty-two million adult Americans can't read. Fifty million adult Americans are limited to a 4th or 5th grade reading level or can only recognize a few printed words (Education-Portal, 2007). Obviously, if a person cannot read, or cannot read well enough, they will not be using technology such as computers or the internet. In order to give people the opportunity to use technology productively, literacy must be tackled at the most basic level. America will never be able to prevail over the digital divide if 50 million adults cannot process written information correctly.

Illiteracy is not the only problem that is an attribute to the digital divide. Computers and other digital devices are difficult to use by many people. The uneducated, as well as the educated, struggle with digital technologies. There is no simplicity or ease of use for many people.

As mentioned earlier, 50 million adults have low literacy skills. This is a significant usability issue. "The level of literacy skills among the owners of a computer is very low: only 40% (Good, 2007). Most websites cannot be easily read by those with lower literacy skills. Often difficulties are encountered. Text must be read and re-read. A considerable amount of time is spent on the sounding out of words. In order to help this division, guidelines for making websites easier need to be put in place.

Those who suffer from illiteracy and low literacy skills are not the only persons affected. Many older users, especially senior citizens struggle with usability problems. The elderly are currently among the lowest users of computers and the internet. This is because people born before 1984 are not digital natives. A digital native is a person born after 1984 and uses computers. People born before 1984, can become digital immigrants -these are persons who have to learn their way around the internet