RUNNING head: AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

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African Americans and the Digital Divide; Are We Closing the Gap?

Submitted for Course Number CIT 514 CIT-514 90 INFORMATION AND DECISION SUPPORT - 90

Concord North Carolina June 30, 2011

RUNNING head: AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

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The Digital Divide and African Americans: Are We Closing the Gap?

What is the Digital Divide? Defining Digital Divide Since the beginning of the technology and digital ages there have been a lot of discussions about the use of new technology amongst minorities and the poor. These discussions have spurned lots of thoughts and definitions about the digital divide. The digital divide can be defined in a number of ways. It can be defined as the fact that certain parts of the population have substantially better opportunities to benefit from the new economy than other parts of the population (Nielsen, 2006). The digital divide can also be defined as the gap between individuals, households, businesses, and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard both to opportunities to access information and communications technologies and their use of the internet for a wide variety of activities (Flemings, 2011). Lastly, and probably the simplest definition is the gap between those who benefit from digital technology and those who cannot (Smith, "Digital Divide" Defined (Hint: it's not about access.)). All of these definitions are correct and accurately describe the digital divide. Digitalization (Technology) Today new and changing technology is all around us. No matter where we go or what we do we are surrounded by technology. The technology is ever changing, what’s new today is outdated and old within a year or so. This is where the problem lies; there are certain groups of people who are unable to keep up with the technology and its rapid rate of change. In order to fully participate in America and the world’s economic, political and social life, access to the

RUNNING head: AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE internet and the ability to effectively use this technology is becoming increasingly important (The Importance of Bridging the Digital Divide).

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Today people are using the internet in every aspect of their lives from online shopping for lower prices and retrieving coupons, to making better decisions about healthcare, and even to taking online and distant learning classes. In the workplace being able to use and access technology is becoming more and more important as part of career advancement. Even in schools, technology is playing a major role in the way students are learning. In schools today students are being exposed to computers and the internet at very early ages and teachers also use the internet as a learning tool. Students are able to use the internet in order to do research and to complete various assignments. Technology has truly penetrated every aspect of life (The Importance of Bridging the Digital Divide). Those who don’t have access to this technology or just choose not to use it will surely be left behind. When these individuals aren’t able to keep up with the technology, that’s what creates the digital divide that’s affecting African Americans today. What Caused the Divide? There have been many studies done that have speculated and looked at the digital divide in an effort to established what actually caused the divide. The main factors for the disparity between the technology have and have not’s can be broken down into three very distinctive categories: Economics, usability and empowerment. All three of these have equally contributed to the gap associated with the digital divide (Nielsen, 2006). Economics (Cost)

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Economic disadvantages have been labeled as the number one cause of the digital divide. Simply put, early on in the digital age there were a significant percentage of African Americans who were unable to afford computers and internet services. Studies have shown that the better off you are financially, the more likely you are to own a computer and have access to the internet. The study also shows that individuals who make more than 75k per year are 20 times more likely to have access to the internet than those at the lowest income levels (Fleetwood, 2001). Education Level Low literacy rate have as also contributed to the gap in the digital divide. Low literacy rate is the world’s biggest accessibility problem when it comes to the internet. There have been guidelines set up that establishes rules demonstrating how websites should be constructed and the content of the website as it relates to literacy levels. Although these rules are in place, not all websites follow these rules (Nielsen, 2006). Simply put, a vast majority of the population does not have the mental capacity to understand most websites. There is also the aspect of senior citizens trying to access information from the internet. For high end users, websites have become easier to use, but not for senior citizens, because most companies are fascinated by younger users and have constructed their websites to attract them (Nielsen, 2006). Empowerment Empowerment refers to the user actually using the computer and the internet to make better decisions. It also represents users being able to use search engines and run queries that will provide them with the information needed to make informed decisions. Empowerment also deals with users being able to set up the computer and use applications that best suit their

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lifestyle and needs. Empowerment also means taking initiative and taking matters into their own hands and not letting other people make decisions for you when it comes to the internet and technology. An example of this would be, how people allow there ISP (internet service provider) to choose their home page for them, instead of choosing a homepage that best suits their needs (Nielsen, 2006). How to Close the Gap STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are the four core subject areas where African Americans have been under represented in the workplace, academia and corporate America and this under representation has also contributed to the gap in the digital divide. Studies have shown that African American freshmen actually enrolled in stem majors at a slightly higher rate than their white counter parts (Dupe`, 2011). This is surprising given all the media coverage that says African Americans are less likely to major in these fields of study. This problem comes from the fact that many of these freshmen change majors or dropout of school at a high rate. The attrition rate for African American who are STEM majors are greater that those of the average college student. This leaves African Americans under represented at graduation with degrees in STEM majors and even less represented at every subsequent phase or career path (Sasso, 2008). Being under represented in these fields contributes to the digital divide, because these are the fields that often produce people who start technology and computer companies, are designing software packages, are writing the newest and latest programs and designing computer hardware.

RUNNING head: AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE In order to narrow the gap associated with the digital divide, African Americans must become better presented in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. Recalibrate Skills (Training and Re-training) The recalibration of skills refers to the training or retraining of those individuals who are

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unemployed or underemployed. This will be the key going forward. Simply giving individuals a computer and access to the internet will not solve the problem (Dupe`, 2011). Training and retraining must take place in a variety of areas such as online banking, communications, educations and health care just to name a few. In the coming years every sector of America and society in general will be impacted by the digitalization of the world. There will also be many more opportunities for technology based jobs for African Americans (Hollis, 2011). Smart phones The invention of the smart phone has been instrumental in helping to close the digital divide as well. The smart phone offers several advantages over traditional computers. These advantages have allowed African Americans the chance to start to close the gap. The first advantage of the smart phone is cost. Smart phones are priced so that almost all consumers can afford them. Smart phones in most cases cost about half of what a standard desktop computer with monitor would cost. The second advantage is its portability. Due to the size of a smart phone they can be taken anywhere. The third reason is internet access. Studies show that more African Americans use their smart phones to access the internet than their white counter parts. This is especially true for young African Americans (Nagel, 2011). According to a recent Pew report 59% of Americans surveyed are accessing the internet thru the use of their cell phone, compared to 51% a year earlier. This trend is especially holding

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true for African Americans. These trends are even more evident among young and poor African Americans. Households making less than $30,000 per year are far more likely to access the internet thru their cell phones than whites within the same demographics. Another recent Pew report showed that 18% of African Americans use a cell phone as their only form of internet access, compared with 10% of whites (Brustein, 2010). Are We Closing the Gap? Reasons African Americans still trail whites and Hispanics when it comes to the have and have not’s of technology access and usage. However, there is growing evidence that the gap associated with the digital divide is starting to narrow. There are several reasons for this; first and foremost, African Americas are starting to realize the importance to being connected. Being connected doesn’t just mean having a computer with internet access and being able to send an email, access twitter and facebook or just simply playing games. African Americans are realizing that being connected means being able to take the technology and manipulate it to your advantage. This means using the internet to search for jobs, get health information, make life changing decisions, use government services, as well as keep up with their local community (Sutphen, 2010). Another reason the gap of the digital divide is shrinking is the fact that African Americans have embraced mobile technology in huge numbers. When it comes to using mobile applications and smart phones African Americans are at the forefront. This trend is even more evident with young African Americans. Not only do they use their cell phones for empowerment, but they also use their cell phone for entertainment (Washington, 2011).

RUNNING head: AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE Research Studies

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There have been two studies done that support the fact that the digital divide is shrinking. A Pew Study done from 2009-2010, showed that broadband year over year usage rate of African Americans increased by 10%, from 46% to 56% while the rate for white Americans and Hispanics remained the same. Due to this increase in broadband usage the gap between African Americans and white Americans has dropped to 11% in one year (Sutphen, 2010). Another study conducted by “African American Online” (AAO) reports that there are approximately 19 million African Americans that use the internet at least one time per month. The same report predicts that in the next four years more than half of the African American population will be internet users (Folami, 2009).

References
Brustein, J. (2010, July 7). Mobile Web Use and the Digital Divide. Retrieved July 16, 2011, from www.bits.blogs.nytimes.com: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/increased-mobileweb-use-and-the-digital-divide/ Dupe`, K. A. (2011, March 20). The New Digital Divide. Retrieved June 13, 2011, from www.blogspot.com: http://whereareblacksintechnology.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-digitaldivide.html Fleetwood, C. (2001, July 1). Digital Divide. Retrieved July 16, 2011 Flemings, H. (2011, May 18). The Digital Divide: Are African Americans Beign Left Behind? Retrieved June 16, 2011, from www.blackenterprise.com: http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/05/18/digital-divide/ Folami, A. (2009, March 22). Study Reveals Blacks Are Closing Digital Divide. Retrieved July 29, 2011, from www.bhonline.org: http://bhonline.org/blog/?p=526

RUNNING head: AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE Hollis, J. (2011, February 3). Out to Close the Digital Divide. Retrieved June 16, 2011, from www.blackamericaweb.com: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/moving_america_news/25615 Nagel, D. (2011, February 01). Will Smart Phones Eliminate the Digital Divide. Retrieved June 16, 2011, from www.thejournal.com: http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/02/01/will-smartphones-eliminate-the-digital-divide.aspx Nielsen, J. (2006, November 20). Digital Divide: The Three Stages. Retrieved June 12, 2011, from www.useit.com: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/digital-divide.html

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Sasso, A. (2008, May 16). African Americans Studying STEM: Parsing the Numbers. Retrieved June 29, 2011, from Science Careers: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2008_05_16/care dit.a0800070 Smith, C. W. (n.d.). "Digital Divide" Defined (Hint: it's not about access.). Retrieved from www.digitaldivide.org. Smith, C. W. (2010). Nine Digital Divide Truths. Retrieved June 16, 2011, from www.digitaldivide.org: http://www.digitaldivide.org/digital-divide-topics/nine-digital-dividetruths/ Sutphen, D. (2010, August 20). New study shows blacks closing digital divide with whites. Retrieved 29 2011, 2011, from www.thegrio.com: http://www.thegrio.com/opinion/new-studyshow-blacks-closing-digital-divide-with-whites.php The Importance of Bridging the Digital Divide. (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2011, from www.clinton4.nara.gov: http://clinton4.nara.gov/WH/New/digitaldivide/digital3.html Washington, J. (2011, January 9). New digita divide seen for Blacks, Hispanics. Retrieved June 16, 2011, from www.washingtontimes.com: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/9/new-digital-divide-seen-for-blackshispanics/?page=2