Although the Internet is much more widely used than it was just five years ago, and access to the Internet is becoming more and more readily available, some people believe that there is a marked social divide when it comes to Internet users. People call this phenomena the “Digital Divide”. Those people with limited English proficiency, low income and education levels, and disabilities encounter more barriers to using the Internet.

The people most likely to be on the technological have-not side of the Digital Divide are minorities. Alvin P. Sanoff characterizes the Digital Divide as primarily an issue of ethnicity,“Although Digital access is growing among all racial and ethnic groups, black and Hispanic households are much less likely to have access to the Internet than white or Asian-American households.”

In a time when the Internet is being widely used as a vehicle for political information and a forum for debate and discussion, then an inability to access the Internet leaves one in the dark on crucial issues. If there is in fact a division of technology have-nots, then their lack of access to information on the Internet prevents them from fully participating in American democratic processes. Further, those without access to the Internet may be at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to education and employment due to increasing reliance on people with technological skills.

Other people question whether there actually is a “Digital Divide,” and whether the differences in Internet usage between certain ethnic groups is simply a matter of preference as opposed to a lack of access. They view Internet use as a choice, and say that some people simply choose not to use the Internet as a medium for communication and obtaining information. Further, some do not view access to the Internet as an absolute necessity for one to be an engaged member of society, but see it as a form of entertainment or a matter of convienence.

This issue of equal Internet access raises the question of whether it is necessary in American democracy for all citizens to have the same opportunities to use the Internet as an educational tool or for any other benefits that the Internet can provide. Would there be a negative impact on American democracy if there is an inequality in Internet access? How important is access to the Internet in creating informed and involved citizens? Is it the government’s responsibility to ensure technological equality for all its citizens? If there is in fact a Digital Divide, should the closing of the gap be made a top priority on the government’s agenda?

Links:

http://www.prism-magazine.org/april01/dd.cfm

This article examines the educational problems that arise as a result of the Digital Divide

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/3953.html

This is an article debunking the myth of the Digital Divide

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/fttn99/contents.html

A Report titled "Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide"

http://tcla.gseis.ucla.edu/divide/politics/pinkett.html

This is a link to research about the Digital Divide by an MIT researcher