The Digital Divide in 2015

Photo courtesy of http://www.geeks.com/techtips/2011/pc-gaming-vs-console-gaming.asp

Defining the digital divide has been a source of contention since the term was coined at the turn of the 21st century.  In his 2012 opinion piece "There Is No Digital Divide", published by the MIT Technology Review, Christopher Mims contends that pitting the technology "haves" vs. the technology "have-nots" is a dated way of seeing the issue.  Mims argues that this method of framing the discussion often (mis)leads to questions about why the "have-nots" can't change their behavior to be more like the "haves".  According to Mims, some researchers also argue that those computer users who come from traditionally "have-not" populations often misuse or waste their time when they have the opportunity to access computers and the Internet.  I agree with Mims who points out that this relies on how a so-called normal computer user would spend his/her time and an unfair method of assessment. Although judging how people spend their time on the Internet is really a private matter, with the exception of illegal activity of course, public librarians might have their work cut out for them if library boards, trustees, and budget committees routinely see patrons engaged in computer activity which they deem a "waste of time."

More recently and in this same vein, Wired  published "The Digital Divide Is Not Binary" by Michael Kende.  The author argues that anyone interested in solving the digital divide needs to ask bigger questions.  Kende's article includes a graph showing that many people around the world who do not have Internet access chose not to obtain it because of disinterest or lack of time.  Kende also pointed out that generating interest must be a starting point in combating the digital divide; however, this will require more localized hosting services because most are currently situated in the U.S. or Europe--which is cheaper but discourages new, local content.

Sources:

Kende, Michael, "The Digital Divide Is Not Binary," http://www.wired.com/insights/2015/01/the-digital-divide-is-not-binary/

Mims, Christopher, "There Is No Digital Divide," http://www.technologyreview.com/view/428043/there-is-no-digital-divide/