The Digital Divide

Librarians often talk about the digital divide. Many people don't have reliable access to the internet. This could be because they don't have a device. This could be because of the cost of access. It could be availability of service.

But in this situation, two things are certain.

1. Most Americans think that everybody has access to the internet.
2. Many people do not actually have reliable access.

Who doesn't have access?
One of the major factors is income. According to the Pew Research Center, Differences in usage vary widely from the poorest Americans (74%) to the most wealthy (95%).

Another aspect is education level.  Those who have less than a high school diploma are less likely to have access (66%) than those who have graduated (76%) and far less than those who have some college (90%) or a college degree (95%).

Of course age is an issue. Those over the age of 65 have internet usage rates of 68% compared to the so called digital natives (18-25) who have a 96% usage rate.

For those who have access, most of this means nothing.  They often don't even give reliable internet access a second thought.  In all honesty, I have been in that camp before, I am ashamed to admit.  I am a person who personally and professionally advocates for access, both in terms of devices and connection. I am an advocate for free Wi-Fi access through libraries.   This is an important issue. But it was one that affected other people. 

Until last Tuesday.

One more piece of data: those who live in rural areas have a 78% usage rate, far lower than those in urban areas (85%).

For the past year and a half, I have lived in the city and recently moved to a house outside of town. It is just under 10 miles away, though definitely out of town.  We were so excited about the move. More bedrooms. Another bathroom! 3 acres of land. Lots of great things!

I switched over the power, started up trash service, put stickers on the mailbox, transferred our mail. 

Then I called Comcast. 

Now, I am no fan of Comcast, but I know when I have to deal with the forces of evil.  

No service. 
So I called Frontier. 
Sure, we can get you service. Your top speed might be able to reach 1mbps. 

I honestly was speechless. 1??  In town my speed was 75. 1 is like dial-up! I doubt you could reliably stream Netflix. 

I looked around for other options. 

One didn't work because of a line of trees. 

One worked but couldn't get it installed until August. August! I can' wait until August to have internet at home.

On and on. 

In the end, I went back to Frontier.  It is being installed today. 

Which brings me to the revelation that I am now a victim of the digital divide.  Not because of age, education, or income but living in a rural area.  When people think of a person who lives in the United States but has no reliable internet access at home, I am not probably the person that comes to mind. 

But I should be. 

Because internet access is not black and white. It isn't a single factor that pushes one across the digital divide. 

And it is important to advocate for access for everyone. It is 2016. Access is an issue of necessity for many people. I use it for work. My husband uses it for work. My kids use it for school. It is problematic to not have access.  

And that is why we need to keep advocating. Keep pushing. Keep talking about it.  

I am fortunate.  I can afford to have a different company install service, however slow. I have access at work. My kids have access at school. We have a public library that has reliable access. We have devices. And it is still an issue. 

I will continue advocating and speaking up. It might jut be much much slower if I have to do it from my connection at home.