Karin's Post- Digital Divide

     The term "digital divide" refers to the division between the population and the access to digital or internet use which in some low economic areas is very grand.  In the video, The Real News, Free Speech Radio News, by Matthew Petrillo a difficult situation occurring in Philadelphia is exposed where there is a large population, approximately 41%, who don't have internet access in their homes, hence the problem digital divide.  In this digital age where people require internet access either for school, job opportunities, or personal affairs, not having direct access to the internet can be challenging.  Petrillo interviewed a young girl who lives in a homeless shelter called People's Emergency Center who goes to the public library for internet access.  The time she has to complete homework is limited because the library closes two hours after she gets out of school and since her typing skills are minimal, she has a difficult time completing her computer tasks.  To help solve this problem the Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter, has planned  technology improvements for the future.  To help close the digital divide, Andrew Buss, from the Division of Technology, is trying to implement a new mindset for the city creating public wifi spots and computer centers.  Also dealing with this issue is Nicol Turner-Lee, Director of the Medial and Technology Institute from the Joint Center for Political Economic Studies.  She feels it is necessary to invest in home computer and broadband access for lower income people.  This would change the lives of these people and drive economic development.  Unfortunately, the city has had blockades and had surmised that it is too expensive.  It's hard for people to function in a society where technology is so important but have limited economic means to obtain it.  I believe it's the downfall of the age of technology.  It has created a wider gap between socioeconomic groups in our society. This link describes this gap of  how some social groups are faced with this struggle in our society and how it is dealt with.  http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-01-10-minorities-online_n.htm.