Digital Divide or Participation Gap?

Mobile Internet Usage                

               In today’s growing technological world, many people are using technology in ways which they never thought were possible before.  High- speed internet and using this internet on our mobile phones are two of the most popular advances that we have seen in recent years.   Every day, more and more people are beginning to join this technological revolution that is filled with smart phones, 4G internet speeds, and mobile internet usage. 

                The Pew Research Center completed a study about the statistics of cell phone users and the amount of their online browsing habits.  Their findings were very supportive of the everyday increase of technology usage that is apparent in recent years.  In 2009, it reported, that all cell phone owners who use email or internet on their mobile device was 31%.  This was significantly lower than the 55% reported in 2012.  Not surprisingly, the demographic that had the largest increase was the age group of 25-34 year olds.   This could be due to the combination of the fact that these individuals have the means to afford these new technologies, as well as the ability to learn the ins and outs of these new technologies. 

Are All On-Board with Today's Technological Abilities?

                As I read more into this technological phenomenon, however, I found that not all Americans are ‘diving’ into this new technological craze.  In a brief report by Kevin Guidry at Indiana University, there appears to be a few reasons why not all Americans are on board with the new powers of technology yet.  One reason, he described, is known as the digital divide, where these families or individuals are less educated and face financial restrictions. A second reason, which he referred to as a participation gap, happens when the conditions in which people access the internet change the way they browse the web. 

                In my own opinion, I think that today there is more of a digital divide, rather than a participation gap present between non-mobile internet users.  The report by Pew Research Center concluded that 55% of adults now access the internet or email from their mobile devices.  This proves the participation gap theory not so relevant today because the adults are the ones who would be most prone to a change in internet usage over the period of their lifetime.  When they were younger, internet was brand new, and they probably had little means of access due to how expensive it was. Today, it is much cheaper and easier to access, meaning that %55 of adults (at least!) have adapted the way they use the internet from when they were younger.  This is why I believe the digital divide is more realistic today. With all this technology improving our lives, the only logical reason that is provided is the inability to afford these new technologies.  The Pew Research Center supports this in their study, as they show that the lowest percentage of mobile internet users is the demographic with household incomes less than 30%.  

What About the Future?

               Since technology is becoming increasingly cheaper over time, I believe in 3-5 years this trend of increased mobile internet usage will greatly decrease the digital divide. In this foreseeable future, more and more individuals will be a part of the mobile audience.