The Digital Divide

1. What is the impact on Marcella Morris and her family not having the Internet?

Because Marcella Morris does not have the internet, it is harder for her to get information on what is going on in the world. She mentions that she reads the paper and gets her information ‘word of mouth’, but this is not as convenient, fast, or updated as the internet. If Marcella was to take a class or go to school, or if her children did, they would be at a significant disadvantage as much of the work would require access to the internet. She is very much out of touch with the rest of the world. By having no access, or familiarity, with the internet, her chances at finding a decent job are also very much hindered. The majority of jobs today require employees to be able to navigate the internet easily. There are numerous websites and programs that people need to know how to get to and use in order to be successful in the position. Without having the internet, Marcella and her family’s chances of working their way out of their low-income status are very slim.

2. How do you feel about the free wireless internet access project in Charlestown, SC.

The wireless internet access project in Charlestown, SC probably sounds like it will be more successful than the reality. I am not quite sure how it will be possible for the entire city to provide internet access without any costs associated. However, even if they were successful in doing this, it would only work for people who actually have computers. There many people who do not even have computers who need to be taken into consideration. Also, for the families who do have a computer, but have never had the internet, who is going to teach them how to use it? If they do not have kids in school who take a computer class where they learn how to surf the web, how will these families learn? One question I have about this project is how well the network will work with an entire city plugged in… Will this make it slow? I don’t really know much about it, but I always hear people at my work saying that the internet is slower when everyone is on the server… Would this problem occur with this project also? I think that the idea of the project is great – the internet really is a necessity in this day to stay current with the times. However, I just feel like the whole thing sounds too good to be true.

3. Who has benefitted from it?

Obviously, those who do not own computers won’t be benefitted as much by this project as those who do. Also, those who do not know how to use the internet will not be as benefitted as those who do. The reading mentions that the people who have been able to connect to the network so far are mainly those who were able to afford it in the first place. This is probably because they are the ones who did already have computers and know how to use the internet. I am sure that this isn’t the case with everyone. There are probably also many families who did have a computer with no internet who are now able to connect, but it sounds as though the results have not been as successful as the designers of the project anticipated.

4. What would you suggest that they do with the project?

I do think that they should continue a way to get the city online. However, they need to also spend some time and energy to figure out a way to get the people with no computers and no internet skills up to speed. Perhaps a program could be developed where computers are donated. Also, time may be donated to teach adults – who are disadvantaged because they are not in school – to learn how to navigate the internet. I also think that a campaign needs to be developed to teach those who have no interest in the internet just how important it is for them now and for their futures. They need to see that acquiring computer skills is a potential way out of their unfortunate circumstances. They can go to school and eventually get decent jobs.