Digital Divide

This week for Gospel and Global Media class we have focused on "digital divide." According to Susan Crawford, author of Captive Audience,she defines the digital divide as "1/3 of American’s don’t have Internet access. The rich are getting gouged and the poor are very often left out and we are creating two Americas and deepening inequality through the communications inequality."

Before watching the interview, I did not realize there was a digital divide and if I did think there was one, I would not have imagined as an American we would be on the "bad" side of the divide. I just assumed that the US was leading the way for technology and had state of the art internet access. Well, according to Susan Crawford, we are being gouged. We are paying a lot of money for mediocre service and there is nothing we can do about it. I guess that is where the questions of the week comes in. How can we as church bodies advocate to close the gap of the digital divide or erase it completely.

Internet access is becoming a necessity or "utility" as Susan calls it. Kids are going to McDonald's to get internet access so they can do their homework, because their families can not afford access at home. This isn't about wanting or not wanting to admit that internet is a universal utility that has been necessary (not so everyone can us Facebook or Twitter or keep a blog) but applying for jobs, getting your kids report cards, paying bills is the "new norm." Internet access is no longer just for business people or the rich, but it is a basic utility that should be accessible by all people for cheap no matter what their economic status is.

There is a huge push for churches to be on Facebook, Twitter, to have a social media presence and yet this week, we learn that 1/3 of American's don't have access. This makes me wonder where this puts the churches social media usage. I don't suggest that we stop, because there is a large percentage of young people that are connected and we need to stay connected, rather I think about how can we as a church make it so people can get internet access.

On the class blog Professor Hess noted that some churches, both rural and urban, have offering their internet access in a sort of "internet cafe" kind of way. I think this is a marvelous idea! What a way to engage the community, break down barriers, and be a place of welcome and hospitality to the people in your neighborhood. The coffee is always on, there can be a designated space for this and even "open" and "closed" times. Why not??? I know of churches that password and lock their internet access so people cannot "steal" internet access from the church. I have always wondered about this. What is the harm? Why can't this be looked at as "sharing" or "serving" with/for our neighbors? I look forward to the day I have the opportunity to explore my future church's space as a possible "internet cafe"!!

This is a big topic and there are so many questions and options to explore further. It looks like we will continue thinking about this into next week. For now.... that's it and good night!