Digital Divide

 A digital divide is defined as the increasing gap between the privileged and underprivileged people in society. This gap shows the difference between disadvantaged, elderly, rural, and disabled populations, who lack access to computers and the internet, and the wealthy, middle-class, and young Americans who live in urban and suburban areas and have internet. 

Nowadays, especially after Covid-19, many businesses and workplaces require the use of technology. In 2020, according to an article by Forbes, as schools turned to online learning, many students struggled — not only academically, but also due to the lack of access to the internet and/or to a suitable device. Although many families might have access to computers and the internet, one out of ten students will likely not have that same access. 

On that topic, because my mother was a 7th-grade middle school counselor in 2020, I had direct knowledge of this situation. The school my mother used to work at was a Title I school where many of the students faced issues outside of school dealing with poverty. In 2020, nearly the entire grade struggled and failed multiple classes due to a digital divide and not having computer or technology access at home.

Technology makes jobs and tasks much easier as it helps with scheduling appointments, staying in contact with others, and so much more. Without technology, we would lose the fast connections we have to reach and help one another. Not only that but technology helps people learn and process information at a much faster and easier rate. This is why the digital divide should be more addressed as technology is important for each of us to have.