Equality Pro

Equality Pro

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Introduction

In a recent survey 60% agreed that the government should help to bridge the large digital divide in this country. The digital divide is defined as the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots” when it comes to internet access.

Way too many organizations have spent way too much money trying to figure out something that is easily recognizable: people who make less money are less likely to own a computer and surf the net. Most people would look at this and think, ok but why should my tax dollars go to help pay for someone else to have a computer or internet service. Having a computer, after all, is a luxury. Or is it?

In today’s world our lives are centered around computers. Most every commercial or advertisement now shows their “AOL Keyword” to allow users to access their web page easily. In today’s world not understanding a computer can put a person at a serious disadvantage when it comes to jobs.

Historical Precedence

If the government chose to continue the programs that were instituted during Clinton’s administration it would not be the first time that the government has stepped into subsidize something of this nature. There is a historical precedence for the government to subsidize technologies. Even though the majority of the population has access to a home telephone the government still has subsidy programs. There are others who believe that the digital divide will eventually fix itself over time. While it is true that the percentage of households who have access is increasing, it is still a pressing matter that continues to be a problem as the gap narrows. “Policy makers have recognized that intervention becomes more critical—not less—as telecommunications technology reaches a majority of households and take-up by low-income households slows.”

http://www.nd.edu/%7Eamcadams/CAPP485/discussion_topics_frames.htm

Job Search

“The reality is if you’re not plugged into the Internet in the near future, you’re going to be unplugged from job opportunities, unplugged from consumer opportunities, from finance opportunities.”
— Ruben Barrales, president, Joint Venture in Silicon Valley Network, April 2000.

In today’s economy there are very few jobs that do not require basic computer skills. If we have any chance of bridging the general economic gap in our society we must work at giving people the skills they need to advance in their careers. Furthermore, when someone has access to the internet, not only do they have the ability to acquire basic computer skills but they can also take classes online without disrupting their life. A parent can watch children and work around the family’s schedule while taking classes simultaneously. Also, it would not be necessary to quit another job because the classes could be done on one’s own time.

Economic Gap

“We will never make the most of the Information Age when the average black household is only two-fifths as likely to have home Internet access as a white household. — Al Gore

Obviously those households with higher incomes are more likely to have computers with internet access in their homes. Everyday the gap between the rich and the poor in this country is growing. There are things more basic that each family needs such as, shelter and food, but ultimately education is the only thing that is going to help. We need to start now with this generation of children and educate them with the internet.

Links

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/digitaldivide_quotes000722.html

“I believe the [online] revolution has the strong potential to effect, in a very short time, structural, economic and social changes comparable to the Industrial Revolution.”
—Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, July 2000.

International figures on the digital divide. ABC news story. It is interesting to note that the United States 41% have access to the internet. In Western Europe only 19% have access.

http://www.ed.gov/Technology/digdiv.html

Education programs that help bridge the digital divide.

http://search.ntia.doc.gov/pdf/fttn00.pdf

Department of Commerce Report: Digital Divide, falling through the Net

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/digitaldivide/execsumfttn00.htm

Summary of previous report

http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/sections/about.cfm

http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/stories/index.cfm?key=168

This is a non-profit website called the Digital Divide Network that discussed ways to close the gap

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/dn/

Other sites that might be of interest:

How Americans Are Expanding Their Use of the Internet

http://www.empoweramerica.org/stories/storyReader$206

Article by Jack Kemp: Marketplace will bridge digital divide