Digital Divide is a term used to describe the “haves and have-nots” in respect to access to digital devices and connectivity. This divide is caused by several different things. The first, and most pronounced, cause is socio-economic. There are areas in our country that are so rural that there is no possibility of internet connectivity.
Examining the Digital Divide without also looking at Digital Literacy would be like cutting off one of your hands. The two really go hand in hand. If you are a member of an older generation you may not put technology at the top of your priority list and therefore could cause you to not be as “connected” as others around you. If you have children living in the home you are creating the “divide” for them by not supplying these tools.
Watching the video about the Digital Natives made me anxious. I am a 47 year old woman and therefore apparently a Digital Immigrant. My response to this is a passionate NO! I have embraced technology since it first became available to me. I had a computer with a 128 MB hard drive - which was HUGE at the time. I have always been on the cutting edge of technology. I bought one of the first digital cameras and blogged on my GeoCities account - using dial-up no less!
It frustrates me when gross generalizations like this put out there. I understand that there may be an underlying truth to it in many cases but please don’t clump me in!!
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