by Logan Anderson

Created on: December 12, 2006

The digital divide refers to the gap between people who have the Internet in their homes and those who do not. As the Internet becomes increasingly interwoven with our society, the digital divide is often considered to be a growing problem in America.

The Internet is a tool that many of America's poor could take advantage of to improve their overall situations. It provides networks to find new jobs, research political candidates, connect with charitable or relief organizations, or report workplace injustice. Unfortunately, the cost of the Internet and computers is still prohibitive for the nations poorest individuals. In 2004, nearly a quarter of the American population above two years of age did not have a connection to the Internet in their homes. Fortunately, the future holds hope as several major American cities are planning to offer free wireless Internet and the cost of computers continues to decrease.

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