The digital divide is the numerical difference, the gap, between those who have access to a computer and the Internet, and those who do not. This gap, to many people, is financially unbridgeable and even when the finances are available, there is often a belief they do not really need a computer and that they can get along as they always have. Also, there is often an apprehension, sometimes a fear, that using a computer requires the mastering of difficult technical skills.

Just over 120 years ago another invention was heralded as the beginning of a new age in communication and information. Many scoffed and said "that thing" everyone was raving about was nothing more than a fad. "That thing" was the telephone and most people today find it unthinkable of having no access to a telephone of some sort. The same reality is occurring with computers and the Internet, but at a much quicker pace — it is happening now!

Job seekers who are computer illiterate are now finding it difficult to find entry level clerical employment and soon it will be practically impossible. Students who have to do research, yet have no computer or Internet access, cannot obtain the data they need after the libraries close. Without computer literacy and access to a computer and the Internet it is also very difficult to quickly, effortlessly, and conveniently, obtain much information relating to goods and services; whether commodities such as clothes are being sought or the best price for automobiles or airline tickets. Additionally, those seeking to improve themselves through education are unable to take advantage of the numerous educational courses offered online.

In 2000, the United States Commerce Department stated, "To be on the less fortunate side of the divide means there is less opportunity to take part in our new information based economy, in which many more jobs will be related to computers. It also means that there is less opportunity to take part in the education, training, shopping, entertainment and communications opportunities that are available on line..." 

Thus, the economic prospects for those left behind by their not being able to access information necessary to make progress in society, is grim.

Although there are many people from all walks of life without computer and Internet access, the digital divide, unfortunately, has racial and ethnic implications alongside the economic factors. In short, the "haves" are primarily Whites who are at least middle income, and the "have nots" are primarily Blacks and Latinos. Although upper middle class folk, regardless of race or ethnicity, have computer and Internet access, the majority of people who compose at least 50% of the nation's population do not. The Commerce Department also wrote in 2000:

"Urban households with incomes of $75,000 and higher are more than twenty times more likely to have access to the Internet than rural households at the lowest income levels, and more than nine times as likely to have a computer at home.

Whites are more likely to have access to the Internet from home than Blacks or Hispanics have from any location.

Black and Hispanic households are approximately one-third as likely to have home Internet access as households of Asian/Pacific Islander descent, and roughly two-fifths as likely as White households.

Regardless of income level, Americans living in rural areas are lagging behind in Internet access. Indeed, at the lowest income levels, those in urban areas are more than twice as likely to have Internet access than those earning the same income in rural areas."

Much more has been written about the digital divide. For more information click here.