All-American Presidential Forums on PBS" Moderated by Tavis Smiley

"I would have to say government is almost invisible when it comes to the digital divide"
Vernon Irvin
EVP of VeriSign
Communications Services

Read the interview

DIGITAL DIVIDE

The "Digital Divide" was a term originally coined in reference to the disparity in computer ownership between groups, due to socioeconomic, racial and or geographic differences.

The definition has since broadened to include not only access to computer hardware, but access to regular and affordable broadband, as well as the skills and resources required to use digital and information technology.

This divide continues to widen, as noted in a study1 which examined data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. African American, Latino and Native American households lag behind their Asian and white, non-Latino counterparts when it comes to access to home computers. The findings indicate that 49% of Latinos, 51% of African Americans and 52% of Native Americans have a computer in the home (compared to 75% of white, non-Latinos and 78% of Asians).

The study also reveals that African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans are less likely than other groups to have the capability of connecting to the Internet from a home computer.

On the minds of many Americans:

1 Narrowing the divide—what measures can be taken to narrow the divide?

2 Increasing computer ownership—what role, if any, can elected officials play in increasing computer ownership among all families?

3 Access and training—how can the nonprofit sector be a resource for access and training?

What do you think?

• Sources
• 1 Leadership Conference on Civil Rights  (Visit website)