Next...........

I think I’m on a roll today objecting to the papers presented. Maybe that is because I am a more critical reader… Maybe I’m just in a bad mood and laying into things.

I think to start this discussion I am going to state my definition of the digital divide : it is the gap between those who use computers and those who do not. It is NOT about using computers to further the agenda of socially marginalized groups who do not show a lack of technology usage.

The paper we read had three distinct studies in it: the CNI the LBGT and then the Afya Community action plan from SisterNet. In theCNI and the SisterNet, projects both discussed how community action can be used as empowerment for the groups AND to increase the technology use to cross the digital divide between the have technology and the have NOT’s. However, in this middle section it was strictly about how the internet can be used to empower a marginalized group of people. No where did I see the implication that there was a digital divide to cross.

Do I believe the internet is a great tool for social empowerment. Yes, most definitely. But for some reason when I read the abstract and introduction I was expecting more about how the empowerment would affect the digital divide. Yet, the main focus was more how the web can empower people. To me, it appeared the authors used the digital divide as a “smoke screen” to further their empowerment objective.