The Digital Divide

The Digital Divide

Regina Browning

INF 103: Computer Literacy

Prof. Melody White

January 26th, 2015

The Digital Divide

Just like Sir Isaac Newton’s law, “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction,” I feel that it is safe to say that most everything has drawbacks and advantages. Almost all of us have experienced the conveniences and advantages that have come from the fast-paced progression in information technology. However, not everyone has shared in these experiences. This drawback is a social and economic inequality between people called the Digital Divide.

Our textbook (Bowles, 2013) discusses the ethical concerns of underprivileged people not having access to the “Kingdom of Knowledge” afforded by others. This poses a concern because individuals without computer and internet access are at a disadvantage when it comes to keeping up with those who do have access, and risk falling behind in their careers and studies. Bowles also states that helping individuals gain knowledge in digital literacy is the morally responsible thing to do, and can help close the gap in the Digital Divide, and help ensure that digital knowledge is shared equally.

The article, “The Digital Divide: How Deep and How Wide,” written by B.F. Scholoman (2004) talks about how the issues that make up the Digital Divide are a really complex, global problem. Not only, are the digitally disadvantaged at risk of falling behind socially and remaining outside the mainstream of the digital revolution, but they are also unable to access new health resources provided by healthcare officials, via the internet, that could have a positive impact on their health. The article also argued the fact that the divide is not just one gap, but several gaps in one. Scholoman also talked about how providing computer and internet access is not the answer. Many barriers, such as literacy and language, exist after the access has been provided. Libraries play a huge role in providing access to computers,...