(Digital Divide) Impact of Computing on Society

Could you imagine life without your favorite technology? Where did people get information before the Internet? How did people communicate before cell phones or emails or gaming chats? Computers and the Internet have changed the way you live. It has changed the way we communicate and collaborate in society.

As you may know, the Internet is a global network. However, the innovation and impact of online access varies everywhere. In this lesson, you will examine the ways in which computer innovations have changed our society. How do our demographics influence innovation and the use of computing?

There is a lack of equal access to computing devices and the Internet based on socioeconomic, geographic, and demographic characteristics. This is known as the digital divide.

The digital divide describes the gap between those individuals with and without access to computers and internet connection. It includes individuals, families, businesses, and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard to accessing the Internet.

The digital divide is caused by factors such as income and educational attainment, age group, ethnicity, and affordability.

Take a moment and glance at the graph capturing the cost of mobile Internet for 2019.

Cost of Mobile Internet Around the World

The image above is from this website, https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2019/03/05/the-cost-of-mobile-internet-around-the-world-infographic/#798ccbd3226e.

As you can see, cost alone can differ.

Think about the COVID-19 pandemic when the digital divide became more apparent. The COVID-19 pandemic made it more evident as schools, jobs, and business transactions transitioned to online platforms. Many students and workers did not have access to appropriate computers and connectivity needed to learn and perform at their full potential.

Thank you for the supporters in assisting in bridging that digital divide gap.

Connecting and Supporting Communities Video

Take a look at this Connecting and Supporting Communities Video from one of those supporters, AT&T, as they are doing their part to bridge the digital and accessibility gap.Video is from the following website: Connecting and Supporting Communities | AT&T https://about.att.com/sites/accessibility/stories/bridge-digital-and-accessibility-divides.html

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