Saturday 14 April 2012

The Digital Divide


The Digital Divide is a term used to reference the gap between individuals who have regular access to technology in the form of computers and their access to the Internet, and those who don't have this regular access. The term Digital Divide was first used in the 1990s and was widely discussed during the Clinton Administration in order to close the gap. There are many ways to consider the Digital Divide, but it is largely a separation of the haves and have-nots within the United States.

While technology and Internet access has definitely increased in the United States in recent years, the digital divide is certainly seen amongst the population. It is a fact that poorer individuals can't afford to keep up with technological changes and schools with less funding are less likely to have regular Internet access for students. In comparison, middle to upper class families and schools can afford to have the necessary income to keep up with technological changes both at home and in school. Having this technological ability definitely gives the middle and upper class a significant advantage over the poorer class that doesn't have the same technological advantage at home or in their schools. Since there is a lot of benefit to knowing computers and using Internet material, it is easy to see how the Digital Divide causes certain social groups to stay poor and ignorant while others have a clear advantage and more opportunities to advance in society than others based on their technological benefits.


http://www.edutopia.org/blog/digital-divide-technology-internet-access-mary-beth-hertz

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