Two Digital Divides exist today not Just a “Digital Lag”

An article by Navarrow

I spent some time in DC this week. First I sat on a panel sponsored by National Journal Magazine . We talked about the National broadband plan and what effect it may have on increasing broadband adoption and use among our country’s population. It ended up being a good panel, but also showed how long this process of increasing broadband adoption might take. Take a look at the video here.

I also attended an event sponsored by the Georgetown Public Policy Center, which hosted a series of panels about the National Broadband Plan and its impact on different broadband issues that currently exist. I happened to get there during the “broadband adoption in minority and underserved communities” discussion…Call it divine timing! One of the panelists suggested that there is no longer a “digital divide,” but rather a “digital lag” based on his research, which also suggests that lower income minorities have historically adopted technology at a standard slower rate than the general population. My issue with statements like this is that it gives people a false picture of the current state of digital inclusion, or lack thereof, and allows them to ignore it. I debated with him about the existence of the digital divide. I also told him that even if there was only a “digital lag” at play as he says is the case, the speed at which innovation occurs puts minorities and the underserved at an even greater disadvantage than they have been in years past because they are not adopting the technology at speeds that can be most beneficial to them.

( You can hear his statement at the 25.20 mark of the video below)

(You can hear my question and his response at the 52:00 mark of the video. )

I also came across an article today that speaks to there being “two digital divides” the Quote that hit it on the head for me is right here

“What we have, in effect, is not one, but two “digital divides”: Not only do many minority communities have less broadband access than their white counterparts – a problem that the NBP should help address – blacks and Latinos are far less likely than whites to be employed in high-tech fields.”

Now if you have read any of my earlier posts I clearly recognize that this is an issue and believe there are ways to fix it, but first everyone has to recognize and admit that the issue is real. We have to make sure that broadband adoption, broadband Literacy and entrepreneurial education are the key areas of focus going forward. More people in DC and nationwide need to have a realistic understanding of the problems AND the opportunities that exist for everyone if the problems are solved.

There was a lot to be learned from each of these experiences and articles, but one thing in particular remains clear — as we attempt to navigate the nuances of broadband discussions meant to explore the needs of minorities and the underserved, we definitely need more representation in the room. I tend to be one of the few faces of color at these events, and for an issue that is so important to our communities, we really need to make sure we stay on top of the discussions at play.