The Digital Divide

I believe that there is a digital divide in Canada. There are many people who do not have access to new technologies that are constantly emerging. This is due to both generational gaps and income levels.
The largest contributor to the digital divide, in my opinion, is the internet. The internet started in North America and continues to grow the fastest here and in Europe. If the United States has a digital divide, then Canada undoubtedly has one too. My grandparents have no idea how to use the internet as they don't even understand what it is. While the internet impacts my life on a daily basis, it virtually doesn't exist in their world. My parents have an understanding about the internet and computer technology, however, they are constantly asking me how to use certain programs. Social media has contributed greatly to the digital divide as teenagers and young adults have become addicted programs such as this. Face-to-face interaction is becoming less common as people can apply for jobs online, do their banking online, and connect with friends and family online. Even though we refer to sites such as Facebook as social media, they are actually making our society less and less social.


If people don't have access to technology, such as the internet, they are missing out on many things in life.
In some cases, the internet is the only avenue to find new jobs, find a date, or order certain products. Clearly there are many people in Canada who are missing out on opportunities in life due to being the "have-nots" of the Digital Divide. 


In order to change the Digital Divide, we must be willing to help older generations, such as my grandparents, understand new technologies which are emerging. Schools could offer free programs to those without access to computers once a week in order to help them understand new technologies. There is no easy solution to the Digital Divide, however, if we all attempt to help out the "have-nots" we will start to see the divide begin to narrow.