Why the digital divide is nothing new

In social science, there is increasing attention for the political dimension of new technologies. Some argue that new technologies are contributing to democracy, others argue exactly the opposite. One of the supporters of the latter argument is Seong-Jae Min. In his 2010 article 'From the Digital Divide to the Democratic Divide’, Min first puts forth the reasons why he believes that the ICT and internet revolutions created a digital divide between age- and socioeconomic groups and that this divide is deepening. Second, that this divide is fundamentally different from other technological divides societies have experienced (and have mostly overcome) in the past. Thirdly, on these theoretical foundations, Min builts the argument that this also results in a democratic and political divide and consequently tests this assumption empirically.

I have very few issues with the third part of the article. Unimpressively, what he finally sets out to proof is that both internet skills and political interests are highly associated with political internet usage and he succeeds in doing so. To me, this conclusion is evident since it’s much like saying that owning a driver license is positively associated with driving a car in a city. Nothing surprising there, really.

The problem I do have with the article, however, is that the theoretical assumptions Min bases his theory on are fundamentally flawed. This is important, not necessarily for the article’s conclusions, but for the (policy) implications resulting from these conclusions.

Min sets out to dismiss popular thought that the digital divide is no different from previous divides resulting from new technological breakthroughs (like radio, television, or even automobiles). His reasoning for this is that:

“ICTs, especially computer and Internet technologies, are different from other technologies in that they are much more complex, multifunctional, and are considered to be “platform” technologies for information and knowledge”

He further states that ICTs become much more rapidly outdated than other technologies which will make it harder for users to catch up, in both technology and skillsets.

It is true that in absolute terms, internet and its many application might seem more complex than tuning a channel on a television. However, like with tuning a television channel, programming a new VCR or DVD-player or driving a new car, the basics of internet-usage remain the same. Every new application or medium revolves around certain standards who have remained unchanged for the better part of two decennia. An early day internet-user, though mesmerized by today’s internet speeds and aesthetics would have no problem with using today’s internet browsers or surfing from website to website. In fact, new developments like Google and Wikipedia have made it much easier, even more intuitive, to find what you’re looking for. Mouses and keyboards are still there. New developments like touch screens or motion capture technologies only make interactions more intuitive. The technologies are developing rapidly, yes, but the strength of ICTs is that the tools to make efficient use of these new technologies are developing as rapidly or even faster.

Social media have evolved in a similar way. Filling in a Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn account has never been easier: the platforms assist you step by step in creating your account. LinkedIn even allows you to upload your resume and then, almost magically, fills in a big chunk of your  profile for you. Barriers, if there are any, are assumed barriers, not objective ones. All you need to get started is an e-mail address (which are free and easy to obtain), again something stemming from the early internet days. (One of my first web based email addresses was created on the 14th of April 2001 and hasn’t lost an email ever since). Like the buttons on a remote, or programming a VCR, computers might initially seem complicated, especially for the elderly but they are not harder to comprehend than the technologies that came before in théir early days. It ís more useful and rewarding, however.

Internet is forever changing and it does so at an unprecedented pace. But like other media, or technology, the basics remain the same. All who use internet vigorously know this and they will soon be a majority.

Min also addresses the ‘Sesame Street Effect’ and claims that it complements his theory. Now, is undoubtedly true that “children with a higher socioeconomic status achieve more educationally than children with a lower socioeconomic status, despite similar educational settings", however: this is by no means a divide created by ICTs. If anything, the internet, with its vast and accessible wikis and infinite databases has lessened this divide. Anyone can find almost anything on every topic imaginable. Democratization of information indeed!

Example: one of my female friends, 9 years younger than I am, who comes from a lower educational setting than I do is even more comfortable with new technology than I am. The way she interacts with a smartphone or iPad is mesmerizing. It’s much the same with her friends and fellow students. Content-wise, she doesn’t access the same information as I do or other information an intellectual elitist would claim to be important (even when she uses the same basic means and platforms in her online interaction). This does not mean that she doesn’t have the capability to access this information – she definitely does, probably more than I do-  but she chooses not too. And who are we to decide what she should or should not access? The deciding issue is not capability: it is interest. It is choice.

I believe, without any doubt, that the elderly of tomorrow will be as digitally literate as the younger are today. The divide between generations and socioeconomic groups will lessen as technology and its tools progress. So again, as with all technology before it, ICT-usage will become easier, more mainstream and, although there will always be some division in both interests and skill levels, in time all will develop good basic skillsets.

Therefore the question should not be whether or not the revolution of the last 20 years creates a digital divide or whether it widens. Instead, theorizing should shift to what we should do for the ones who, at least initially, are left behind.

Source:
• Min, Seong-Jae(2010) 'From the Digital Divide to the Democratic Divide: Internet Skills, Political Interest, and the Second-Level Digital Divide in Political Internet Use', Journal of Information Technology & Politics, 7: 1, 22 — 35