Laura Laham Grace Thornton Jason Chen Mike Ornstein

Introduction  Digital divide: the gap between people with effective access to digital and information technology and those with very limited or no access at all.  Includes the imbalances in physical access to technology as well as the imbalances in resources and skills needed to effectively participate as a digital citizen.  In other words, it is the unequal access by some members of society to information and communication technology, and the unequal acquisition of related skills.

Introduction (cont.)  The term is closely related to the knowledge divide as the lack of technology causes lack of useful information and knowledge.  Division based on  gender  income  race groups  locations  Global digital divide: differences in technology access between countries or the whole world.

General Information  Canada:  73% of Canadians aged 16 and older went online at least once in the prior year  Up compared to 68% in  Rural vs. Urban:  65% in rural areas regularly access the internet.  76% in urban areas.  91% of people making more than $91,000/year regularly used the Internet,  47% of people making less than $24,000.  This gap has shrunk slightly since 2005.[27]  China:  Internet population increased by 20% from 2005 to 2006  19% of Chinese people have access to the Internet  Digital divide is growing due to factors such as insufficient infrastructure and high online charges

General Information (cont.)  Europe:  Found to be primarily a matter of age and education.  Young or educated use the internet more than old or uneducated.  Digital divide is also higher in rural areas  The presence of children in a household increases the chance of having a computer or Internet access  Small businesses are catching up with larger enterprises when it comes to Internet access.  United States:  55% of adult Americans have broadband Internet connections at home  “Up from 47% who had high-speed access at home last year at this time [2007]”.  This increase of 8% compared to the previous year’s increase of 5% suggests that the digital divide is decreasing  Findings show that low-income Americans’ broadband connections decreased by 3%.

Positive Aspects  Internet and Blogs  Advancement in collective thought, communication, and creativity  Advances society in democratic ideals  Creates programs and organizations that help underprivileged communities and countries advance technologically  One Laptop Per Child Project  E-rate program, and  USAID  IGADD (Investor Group Against Digital Divide)  Promotes competition which fosters new technology

Criticism  Why use the internet? A matter of ignorance.  Many people who don't use computers on a regular basis do not understand why people who do use it need to use it in the first place.  Can you hear me now?  Some people argue that poor wifi reception in more rural locations add to the digital divide between those who live closer and further from cities and more technologically savvy areas.  It doesn't exist!  The Digital Divide is often said to be a perceived gap. With the development of technology, computers will become more friendly for individual use and there won't be a gap any longer.

Opinion  Digital divide is growing and shrinking  Current policies that foster shrinkage:  One Laptop Per Child, IGADD, etc.  More of these!  Current policies that are increasing the divide:  Broadband gouging- cost  Urban priority  Ignorance- disregard for the existence of a divide  Lack of education  Less of these!