An article titled “Digital Age is Slow to Arrive in Rural America” from the New York Times website explains the problem the digital divide presents in rural communities around America. This article investigates internet access and use in the town of Coffeeville in Clarke County, Alabama. The author of this article, Kim Severson, points out there is a severe lack of internet access in this community. Severson writes, “As the world embraces its digital age—two billion people now use the internet regularly—the line delineating two Americas has become more broadly drawn. There are those who have reliable, face access to the Internet, and those, like about half of the 27,867 people here in Clarke County, who do not” (Severson, 2011). In this passage, Severson points out the reality that even in 2011 many people lack access to speedy internet. Severson also implies this divide in access to the Internet has created “two Americas”; the America on one side of this digital division is more connected economically, politically, and academically. The America on the other side of the division, while certainly not necessarily less informed, has a much harder time connecting to information.
This article goes on to discuss the results of a report created by the Department of Commerce in February about broadband internet service. The results within the report reveal a lack of internet access in rural communities. Severson states that the Obama administration has placed an emphasis on “pushing America’s digital expansion” and has “given $7.2 billion in stimulus money toward the effort” (Severson, 2011). The presidential support digital expansion is receiving proves our nation’s executive branch feels more equality in digital access is beneficial for the country. With more access to technology, people within these rural communities can become more involved politically and economically.
Severson quotes a citizen, Sharon Jones, of Clarke County who explains that her lack of access to broadband internet makes certain tasks, like sending a simple email, difficult. Jones states, “It takes 10 times the effort to do what someone else can do in a matter of five minutes” (Severson, 2011). While Sharon Jones is a small business owner, students within this community face the same hardships. Without access to broadband internet, students receive and create less information than students with greater access. Jones says, “we are trying to pull ourselves into the 21st century…I don’t think the rest of the world understands there is a piece of the world here that is really challenged” (Severson, 2011). Jones’ comment here sums up the concern with the digital divide. Our country is rapidly developing and changing in terms of technological use but there are still rural communities like Coffeeville, and communities in other parts of the country, that have limited access to technology. With this limited access comes an undeniable detriment. Until there is a greater focus on finding ways to successfully help people with limited access not only gain access, but learn the necessary skills to take advantage of that access, the digital divide will remain a problem and concern. As more technology is introduced into these areas, proper education and instruction will be required to teach the younger generations to embrace this technology and sequentially help these rural communities benefit from being connected.
Photo by Megan Haller for the New York Times
Reference:
Severson, K. (2011, February). Digital age is slow to arrive in rural america. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/18/us/18broadband.html.
(Photo at top from http://warkscol.wordpress.com/2008/09/)
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