The Digital Divide

The internet is an amazing tool and arguably today a right that everyone should have.  Unfortunately, in America we experience some of the highest prices for mediocre service leaving people outside of this world wide web.

            Washington talks about a divide for minority groups who simply cannot afford to have internet in their house.  Many people instead get cell phones with internet access on them and try to use that as much as possible.  But the problem is that cell phone internet use isn’t really built to replace a home computer.  Washington uses the example of filling out job applications.  It can become excessively difficult to fill out any application on the web much less one as important as a job application.  Though the numbers of people who own laptops among whites and minority groups are becoming closer to equal, Blacks and Latinos are mainly online through their phones.

            The other aspect of the digital divide comes from Hamblen who talks about the 93 million in the U.S. who don’t have access to broadband internet.  The question here is why?  A percentage of those people just can’t afford it.  There are also a significant percentage of people who simply live in rural areas where ISP’s won’t grant access for a decent enough price. 

But the two big reasons for people not having broadband internet are the age therefore lack of relevance, and the lack of know how.  Older people don’t really care to have internet access because they don’t think there is anything there for them.  They don’t feel like there is a reason to bother.  Little do they know, there is something on the internet for everyone!  If they logged on I am positive they would find some niche to show them their own specific desirable content. Some people just lack the social capitol. They simply aren’t around people who know how to properly use the internet.  Improper use or no use at all leads people to “mean world syndrome”.  The internet is evil in their eyes and they don’t want to become a part of something that is so dangerous.  Statistics show that people who watch more TV feel more danger.  And if your not online, you’re definitely watching TV.  In conclusion, I think it is critical in today’s day, for everyone to be online.  Even if its just for fun!