The Digital Divide

In an article by Sonia Arrison entitled, “What digital divide?” she downplays the severity of the situation surrounding the digital divide and compares it to the civil liberties issue of the 21st century. Arrison is talking about a recent report that in her opinion shows that people do not need government intervention to help close this gap. In the article she states that, “More than half the population of the United States is now online, an increase of 26 million people in 13 months, and the number continues to grow. The report also shows that Internet use is continuing to increase for everyone regardless of income, education, age, race, ethnicity or gender.”

Arrison also finds that “The DOC report proves that even lower income people can get wired if they see it as a priority. And that's no surprise given all the investment that local community groups and technology companies have spent on promoting access over the last couple of years. Those who cannot get online in this environment have other problems that a computer and Internet access won't fix.” In the end Arrison believes that internet “have nots” are actually just people who do not want the Internet.

Arrison believes that the actual problem lies in lack of education and that even with the right equipment those without connection can’t read or understand the internet unless they are educated. Arrison is adamant that the digital divide is not a crisis, “Technology is not a silver bullet that will solve all social and economic problems. This will disappoint those who believed President Clinton when he said, "Technology can be the greatest equalizing force our society or any other has ever known." If digital divide crusaders really want to solve the world's inequities, they should direct their efforts toward key issues that mattered before the advent of high technology. Promoting economic growth would be a good place to start.”

While I do believe that education is also a major crisis surrounding the issue I do not agree with Arrison in that I think the digital divide is a major crisis not just a theory. She does not address the other sides of the story. What about competitiveness and growth? What about the possibly of not being able to participate in democracy because some just do not have the access? Arrison fails to address the issue of national security in relation to the digital divide. What about those who feel resentment because of their isolation? The possibility of Terrorism as a result is plausible. I do not believe this gap will close naturally on its own, it will only widen.