Is there a Digital Divide or Participation Gap?

With advancing technology and interfaces, it is clear that there is a “digital divide” and a “participation gap”. As Kevin Guidry stated in his article, “Digital Divide or Participation Gap? Will Mobile Affect it?” it is almost like the “haves vs. the have-nots”. A digital divide is most defiantly here because there are disparities between different ethnicities. These individuals who are less privileged, such as Hispanics or Blacks, are less likely to have internet access at home, creating this digital divide. A participation gap is also an ongoing issue because there is an unequal opportunity for some students to engage in these new technologies and interfaces when they do not have the finances to purchase them. Although they still have the public library to go to when in need of a device, it still is a different relationship then owning a device personally.

Another factor to consider that contributes to the “digital divide” and the “participatory gap” is an individual’s access to cell phones and it what ways they are used and protected. In an article, “Privacy and Data Management on Mobile Devices” by Jan Boyles, Aaron Smith and Mary Madden draw attention to what type of people are protecting their privacy and who isn’t. According to their studies, although minorities are less likely to have smartphones, they are also more likely to loose or have their phone stolen. Forty four percent of African Americans cell phones have been lost or stolen, compared to that 28% of whites. I believe this plays a part in the digital divide and participatory gap because it is obvious that the usage of smartphones is correlated to ethnicity and race. Even people that have the same type of technology also have each had different experiences with each interface. Some people may prefer an iPad over a laptop, and vice versa. Therefore the participatory gap has helped us define the use of unequal access to different devices, which results in different ways we use the internet.

Within the next three to five years, I believe this digital divide and participatory gap will only increase because there will always be a chance of unequal access for people. Individuals who have their own personal use of technology use it differently then those who have to use a public interface. There will always be people who will be able to afford the newest technological devices, but there will also people who won’t be able to afford a smart phone. However, it is important in this day and age to understand the use of these different devices because they are so crucial in our culture. I see how colleges are trying to help this because just like in our class, we are given the chance to take an iPad home with us for the remainder of the semester. I think that this will help eliminate a digital divide or participatory gap. Historical, cultural and financial factors all play in a part of the relationship to technology, which help us understand these two concepts of the digital divide and participatory gap.