Digital Divide

Part of the discussion for class this week centers on this; "Someone once claimed that saying that there is a "digital divide" is like saying that there is a "Mercedes divide" (i.e., some have Mercedes, and others don't). If we don't think that there needs to be a public policy solution to the second, then we don't need a solution to the first." The idea that not having access to the internet and computers is the same as not having a luxury car is ridiculous.

Are people who do not own Mercedes still able to transport themselves from one place to another (the main purpose of any vehicle)? In most cases, yes. They may have access to a lesser car or public transportation. They may have a bicycle which serves to get them where they need to go, or they may even choose to walk, if preferred or necessary.

Are people without internet or computer access able to do the things one can with a computer or internet access? In most cases, no. More and more companies are putting job applications online. It saves paper and makes the hiring manager's job easier. Can you apply without a internet access? Sometimes. Some companies may have a kiosk when the applicant can access the application. However, even in the companies that do have that option, the machines are not always maintained and it is not uncommon for them to break down and not be fixed for weeks or even months at a time.

Another aspect of the employment factor is job search. Companies are advertising online where their ads are cheaper (sometimes even free), can be more detailed, and can reach a potentially larger audience than traditional newspapers. Can a job seeker find these openings without internet access? Unlikely. There is a chance that the job seeker could cold call a bunch of companies looking for work and stumble onto one that has also advertised their openings online. One way that the state of Arizona helps the unemployed is by letting people use their computers with internet access (at DES offices) to search for work on sites like Monster.com and CraigsList. Unfortunately, there is a limit to the number of computers available and they are only available on weekday from approximately 8am to 5 pm. They can also all be in use by other job seekers when our hypothetical seeker wishes to use them. Of course, there is always the public library, right?

Yes, the Tucson Pima Public Library. The library where you need to reserve the computer for either a 20 minute or 1 hour session. You may reserve these sessions up to twice a day per library, if available. On busy days, you may not be able to get a reservation at all. The hours that the computers are available also depend on the library's hours. The library has a lot people vying for computer time. There are students who need the internet to do their homework. There are homeless people who use it to find resources or as a way to connect with friends or family who may not even be aware of these people's situations. There are people who use the internet simply for fun; they play games, watch videos, post on Facebook. The library can be overwhelmed with the demand for their very limited resource.

These are just a few examples that demonstrate how wrong this "someone" was to compare the digital divide to the Mercedes divide.