At the age of eight, I discovered the Internet.
I remember looking at the shelf next to the sliding doors of my neighborhood grocery store and grabbing a bright blue AOL disc container. Subsequently, the car ride home was filled with incessant whines to unload the disc’s contents onto the family computer. But, my Mother was not interested in children using the Internet. It was not until day four of my whine fest that my Father broke down, downloaded the AOL program and set up the child lock. My eyes grew big as I watched the three step system connect me to the web. Even the sound of the dial-up connection was magical. It was then that my life of unlimited internet access had begun. During the course of a few weeks, I had mastered the AOL system- I was able to talk to my friends, go shopping, and do my homework quicker than ever before. The world was in the palm of my hand.
“There’s more to technology than technology. It’s human communication and what we do with our technology that really counts… It’s all about the transformation of our patterns of social interaction- how we live and work through, with and around the technology” (Thurlow, Lengel & Tomic, 2007, p.2). Image Source.
About ten years later, as a freshman in high school I came to the realization that the Internet was more than a tool I had the ability to use every day. In the world of technology, innovation may achieve advancement for some, while undoing the advancement for others. And, what is known as the Digital Divide can further explain this notion. Norris (2001) explains the Digital Divide as, “The difference in the kinds of information and communication technologies to which people have access” (as cited in Howard, Busch & Sheets, 2010, p. 110). Furthermore, in the 1990s, the Digital Divide was based on technological aspects (Howard & et al, 2010). Many found that the connection was slow and could be easily lost (Howard & et al, 2010). But, today the digital divide is measured by Internet use per capita (Howard & et al, 2010). So while technology is an effective tool for those who have access to it, the power of this tool has yet to reach those who really need them (Menschel, 2011; Postman, 1993; Thurlow & et al, 2007).
Nonetheless, I now wonder how can any person who has unlimited Internet access not take action? What is the true power that the Internet holds? And why can’t everyone has access? I always felt that it was safe to assume that those who did not have the same access to technology I have were those outside of the United States. But, American students do not all have unlimited access to the internet compared to those in other parts of America (Howard & et al, 2010; Menschel, 2011). According to Howard & et al, the divide in the U.S stems from the lack of access by virtue of income, education, or geographical location (2010). Internet service providers have decided to skimp on setting up infrastructures in rural areas, where companies believe that many will not pay for or cannot afford the services they provide (Howard & et al, 2010, p.116).
So what is the solution? The ability to have access to a wealth of knowledge should be a right. Yet, Postman reminds me that, “Every technology is both a burden and a blessing; not either-or, but this-and-that” (1993, p.5). Therefore, in this moment, I feel confident in saying that that Internet still is a privilege and the only way that this will change is through government policy. The American people, along with all other countries, need to find a way to make technology accessible to all. This way everyone can feel like they have the world in their hand.
References
Howard, P. N., Busch, L., & Sheets, P. (2010). Comparing digital divides: Internet access and social inequality in Canada and the United States. Canadian Journal of Communication, 35(1), 109-128.
Menschel, B. (2011). One web to unite us all: Bridging the digital divide. Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal, 29(1), 143-177.
Postman, N. (1993). Technopoly: The surrender of culture to technology. New York: Vintage Books.
Thurlow, C., Lengel, L., & Tomic, A. (2007). Computer mediated communication: Social interaction and the internet. London, England: Sage Publications.
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