I would break it down further to say the digital divide can exist based on race, socio-economic level, age, geography, and ability level. This divide has existed for a while. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem in education. According to Common Sense Media, in South Carolina, 34% of students do not have access to the internet. 44% out of those 34% are minorities. There are 9% of SC teachers without reliable internet access. Another shocking statistic is that 27% of SC students and 2% of SC teachers do not have access to a device!
The obvious impact of the digital divide is students being able to succeed in school, which in turn affects their ability to further their education after high school. There is also an economic impact. Those without access will not be able to compete for higher paying jobs or other career related opportunities. There is a social impact as well. Individuals without access can suffer socially and emotionally due to the lack of opportunities to connect with their friends and family.
School librarians, teachers, and administrators need to be aware of some of the ways the digital divide can be bridged. For school librarians and teachers, digital literacy is key. For administration, budget considerations, community and business partnerships, and working with local governments on infrastructure are all examples of ways to help bridge the gap.
Books. Websites. Articles. Videos.