The Digital DivideBy Ellie Honerman

The “Digital Divide”

The situation in which some people have access to modern information technology while others do not. The underlying assumption motivating the term is that people who use cell

phones, computers and the Internet have opportunities that are denied to people without access to these devices.

(Quinn, 2017)

Global Division

• Disparity in Internet access between more and less industrialized countries

• Global Internet users reached just over 50% for the first time in 2018.

• In 2018:• 51.2% of the global population (3.9 billion people) had

access to the Internet• Developed countries: 80.9% people using the internet• Developing countries: 45.3% people using the internet

(ITU, 2018)

Devices Directly Connected to the Internet:

Social Division

• Differences in Internet usage on a more “local” scale

• In America:• Use can vary based on age, wealth, and education• Wealth:

• Poll by Pew Internet (2015):• Higher income (> $75k/year): 93% have Internet access, 51%

broadband access• Lower income (< $15k/year): 29% have Internet access, 7%

broadband access 

(Quinn, 2017)

What is causing the Digital Divide?

• Wealth vs. poverty

• Language barriers• Lack of access to technology/internet• Lack of technological skills/education

Lack of Access to Technology

• Those who have access versus those who do not• Those who cannot afford it• Those in rural areas

Low-income Families and the Divide

• Low-income families in America are struggling to do well in school with no internet access at home

• Families cannot afford Internet payments• Use libraries, fast food restaurants, or go to friend’s houses to download and finish homework

• School districts offering free Wi-Fi on school buses as well as parking the buses in lots overnight for students to gain access to internet

• Communities are worried this will affect education and future job opportunities for students

(Kang, 2016)

Lack of Access to Technology

• Those who have access, but it is slow or old technology• “Under-connectedness”

“Under-connectedness” Study

• Study conducted by creators of Sesame Street• “Under-connected” versus “Highly-connected”• Many low-income families experience poor service, interruptions or other issues: • About 50% say their Internet access is too slow, and 25% say too many people

share the same computer.• One in five families reported their Internet being cut off in the last year due

to lack of payment• Nearly 30% report hitting data limits on their plan• One-fifth say too many people share the same phone for them to get needed

time on it

• “Not all Internet is created equal”

(KTVB, 2016)

Lack of Technological Skills/Understanding

• Those who have access, but don’t know how to use technology• Lack of education on technology

• Educators with little technology training don’t know enough to teach it to their students• Students therefore not prepared for future opportunities

• Elderly navigating online• Those looking for jobs• Using online services• “Computer Fear”

Lack of Technological Skills/Understanding

• Those who have access, but don’t know the potential of technology• Don’t know what opportunities are available to them with it• Unaware of the benefits of technology

Ennis, Ireland

• Town of 1500 people in western Ireland becomes “Information Age Town”

• Every business given access to new technologies, each family given a computer and smart card

• Three years later and very little use of the new technologies

• Devices never explained, or benefits of using them

• People didn’t like using the computers, so they continued living without them

(Quinn, 2017)

Policies

• “Digital Divide” is a broad term – makes defining policies to fix it difficult

• The divide has been discussed by policy makers since just after the beginning of the Internet and has since evolved

• No one effort towards a single solution will work, policies somewhat all over the place

• Issue could be framed as problem of accessibility or skill

Digital Illiteracy

• In cases of lack of technological skill, new form of illiteracy

• Inability to effectively use tech can disqualify people from job opportunities

• Negative effect on individuals

A Problem of Computer Ethics

• Theory of Justice - John Rawl’s veil of ignorance• Ignore your personal abilities when deciding moral principles• Decide what would bring least amount of harm to the most disadvantaged in

the situation

• “Harm” brought about by digital illiteracy or lack of access• Not as many opportunities in technology-driven world• Don’t have access to all the tools and information the Internet provides• Therefore, we should care and work towards bridging gap

• Computer ethics specifically due to involvement with tech

(Quinn, 2017)

Criticism of the Digital Divide

• Main criticism:• Technological diffusion shows those with less advantage in society tend to

get technologies at a later time anyway, so the current divide will “close” eventually and there will be a new “divide” when the next big technology comes along.

Technical Diffusion

• New technologies acquired by the wealthy and most-advantaged first in society

• Eventually become more widespread and affordable, assimilating into the rest of society

• The internet is not the finale of information technology. When newer technologies come out, they will also be “diffused” into society.

(Quinn, 2017)

How do we Close the Gap?

• Model that is self-sufficient and sustainable

• Initiatives based on needs of the community• Provide education and ready access to communities, with workstations of computers or other points of access

• Local level needed to make sure needs are properly met• RIA and Penn Housing initiatives

Conclusion

• Digital divide is ethically important

• Division is happening in many ways due to technology growth• Slowly start to close the gap at the local level, with improvements in education and community initiatives

• Effectively using resources this way can have a large impact over time

Questions?

References:

Quinn, M. J. (2017) Ethics for the information age, 7th Edition. Pearson Education, Inc.

ITU, Geneva. “ITU Releases 2018 Global and Regional ICT Estimates.” Press Release, 7 Dec. 2018, www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/2018-PR40.aspx.

KTVB. “Many Families 'under-Connected' to Internet.” KTVB, 3 Feb. 2016, www.ktvb.com/article/news/nation-now/many-families-under-connected-to-internet/277-30975244.

Kang, Cecilia. “Bridging a Digital Divide That Leaves Schoolchildren Behind.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 22 Feb. 2016, www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/technology/fcc-internet-access-school.html?module=inline.