Redefining the Digital Divide Response

   Karen Mossberger's Redefining the Digital Divide is a re-examination and exploration of the term "digital divide" in a way that takes into account the nuances of what unequal access to the internet really entails. With this in mind, Mossberger extends the term "digital divide" to include an access divide, skills divide, economic opportunity divide, and a democratic divide. Since the inception of the graphics-based web browser in the early 1990s, information technology such as home computers and the internet has certainly become an integral part of our everyday lives (both professionally and at home), but it is important to remember that not every group of people has had the opportunity to reap the full benefits.

   The digital divide has been a large topic of conversation in my English class, Digital Diversity. A point that I found interesting in this reading that wasn't present in my English readings was the idea of information technology as a public good. Because information technologies like home computers and internet access allow for contributions to the economy, political arena, and education of citizens. This is a great counterpoint to those that might argue that internet access is a luxury that has no room for public policy intervention. However, I can see why this public policy has failed to go anywhere because the empowerment of individuals and access to the political process is not in the best interest of many in power positions. Like the reading asked, do you think this digital divide gap will eventually close through the natural democratization of technology access, or is action required to close the gap? Is closing the digital divide completely even possible?

   "Chapter 1: Redefining the Digital Divide." In Virtual Reality: Beyond the Digital Divide, by Mossberger, Karen. pp. 1-14. Georgetown University Press, 2003. (14 pages).