Digital Access
Full Electronic Participation in Society
Don't Know What It Is? Don't Worry!
Digital Access refers to the amount of technological access an individual has in regards to to the rest of society; how much access one has completely depends on a variety of factors from educational attainment, socio-economic status, and age.
Why Everyone Should Have Equal Access!
Digital exclusion makes it difficult to grow as a society increasingly using these tools. Helping to provide and expand access to technology should be goal of all digital citizens. Users need to keep in mind that there are some that may have limited access, so other resources may need to be provided.
Reasons for Digital Access Varying Among Individuals in Society
Age
The difference among different aged adults in not quite obvious but most definitely there. Adults 18-29 internet access has increased almost 30% in the last 15 years. This dramatic change can also be seen for adults over 65, which increased from 43% in 2000 to 81% in 2015. However the difference between the two is still over 15%
Education Level
Educations plays a humongous role due to the fact that it if you finish high school and go on to college you will most likely be more exposed and learn about new technology and have more access than say those who did not even finish high school. According to Pew Research Center in 2015 the difference between the percent of people who have internet access with a college education compared to those who didn't finish high school is almost 40%
Household Income
How much an individual makes also plays a huge role in how much digital and internet access they can afford to have. Someone who of course makes over $75K will have more means to buy new technology and use it than say someone who makes less than $35K
Solution?......
Ways to Combat Unequal Digital Access
- Schools provide laptops to students instead of asking to bring their own
- Information is given out about where to access free wifi, such as McDonalds or a library
- The government can start a program to help those without internet access at their homes by raising funds to give them internet access