Despite reports to the contrary, the digital divide is alive and well.

Back in July, the Pew Internet and American Life Project released data indicating that African Americans are more likely to use the mobile Web than whites.  Some looked at this research and suggested that the digital divide has closed.

This interpretation is inaccurate and misleading.

First, data from Pew and other sources indicate that the digital divide is more about economics than race.  When we look at the racial make up people using new media technologies like social networks we find they are very likely to be African American, Hispanic or Asian.  However, after slicing the data by economic status, it becomes very clear that economic status determines whether and how you have access to new media technologies.  This bears repeating: The digital divide is more about income than race.

Here’s another reason why the digital divide may be widening for the poor: Access is not enough.

Back in 2006, a group led by Henry Jenkins of MIT wrote an intriguing white paper focusing on the digital divide.  Jenkins’ group developed the paper in order to shift the digital divide conversation from access to participation.  He notes that providing people with Internet access via schools and public libraries is leading to a gap in how people – especially our youth – are participating online.  Having the ability to save content, download software applications and use the Internet for hours rather than minutes can swiftly improve media literacy.  The affluent have access to computers and other digital technologies on a nearly 24/7 basis.  The poor often do not.

This is why Jenkins’ group called for greater emphasis on media literacy and the growing participation divide.  They said:

“Our goal is to shift the focus of the conversation about the digital divide from questions of technological access to those of opportunities to participate and to develop the cultural competencies and social skills needed for full involvement. . . . Schools and after school programs must devote more attention to fostering what we call the new media literacies: a set of cultural competencies and social skills that young people need in the new media landscape.”

Improving access is not enough. We need to teach youth – especially the poor – the skills they need to survive and thrive in our digitally connected culture.

Learn More About the Participation Divide

If this is the first time you’re hearing about the participation divide, you’re not alone.  Learn more by downloading an essay on this topic published on the Path of the Blue Eye project’s online community (click here).

The community is currently in beta so you won’t be able to access a number of the Web pages referenced in this document.  If you want to read more valuable content and are willing to contribute knowledge that will educate and inspire your peers, request an invitation by leaving a comment below.  We’ll send an invitation to the e-mail address you provide with your comment.

Image Source: AirStream.org

Read More from Walking the Path:

1. What the Growing Social Network Class Divide Means for Health Communicators
2. Grandma’s a Teenager: The Importance of Digital Age
3. Learning from Ghana: Improving Maternal Health via Mobile