What Is The “Digital Divide”?

Access to technology and the digital world is critically important to many areas of our lives. We use technology to make doctor’s appointments, find jobs, complete our homework, and so much more. And yet, a “digital divide” persists. 

The definition of the term “digital divide” has evolved since it was first introduced over 30 years ago. But generally, the digital divide refers to the gap between people who have access to the internet and other advanced technology and those who do not. Americans who are poor, elderly, disabled, and those who live in rural communities are less likely to have access to consistent broadband and to devices such as smartphones and laptops at home and in their schools.

In a recent study by the Pew Research Center, only 72% of rural homes said they had access to home broadband. 80% said that they had a smartphone, while only 72% said they had a desktop or laptop computer. And because we use technology to do so much, this lack of access tends to compound other inequalities. 

This gap is especially important when it comes to education. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers and schools have come to rely more on digital teaching tools and virtual learning. However, not all students have access to devices at home or reliable internet. A significant amount of progress has been made on this front in the last 18 months, but as of December 2020, 12 million students lacked access to a reliable device and/or reliable internet. 

Access is the first step to closing the digital divide. But it is only the first step of many. Keep an eye out for future blog posts to learn more about how we can combat the digital divide and ensure that everyone has access to important digital tools.