I took a course this term, called "Navigating Your Digital World". The class focused on modern issues facing computer science. One of these topics was the digital divide- the uneven distribution of access to information and communication technologies. The divide exists between a number of different social, geographical, and geopolitical groups.
If we're being honest, it's not often that topics taught in an undergraduate course are overly relevant to daily life. Though there are of course exceptions (in fact, it could be argued that this course was among the more relevant list of classes), but many, if not the majority, are highly theoretical, where students are left understanding the concepts within the confines of lecture halls only.
That's not the case here.
The world has undeniably shifted online in recent weeks and months. Classes and jobs are online, communication between friends and families limited to Skype and FaceTime. Online grocery orders are the new norm for many.
Anybody who has made a relatively seamless transition to this new online world is undoubtably on the right side of the digital divide. In fact, if you're reading this, you ARE on the right side.
For many, access to the internet simply does not exist. For some, it's due to financial barriers (computers to access the internet may be expensive). For others, the network architecture may simply be missing from their home communities. In some cases, individuals live in political climates where unfiltered internet access simply isn't a reality.
I'm lucky that I live in a place where I can access entertainment whenever I so choose. I have YouTube, Netflix, countless forms of social media, and both the time and ability to talk with my family and friends at any time of the day. Not everybody has this luxury.
Realistically, I enjoyed my time in this computer science class. I learned a lot, and all of it was interesting. I hadn't even heard of the digital divide until a few months ago. I definitely didn't think I'd be confronted with the significance of it this abruptly. But this encounter, coupled with what I know now has me realizing that despite everything going on, I'm incredibly lucky to be on the right side of the digital divide.
You should be too.
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