Digital Divide and Teens

The digital divide refers to the different levels of access to technology that puts one group at a disadvantage. This digital divide is often thought of as a gap between nations but there are also different levels of access within North America. This is true on a larger scale comparing community to community but also between individuals within the same community. The effect of the digital divide on individuals is often overlooked. Teenagers are the ones who are the most effected when they have less access to technology then their peers. Limited or no access to information or communication technology for a teen means struggling to develop and maintain an active social life and this can negatively impact their futures. Making friends in high school and university or college is essential for young adults, not only because it contributes to their happiness and mental health but because it provides contacts for their future in the work-world and develops interpersonal skills they will need in all aspects of their lives as adults.

In the past this would not be relevant to a discussion of technology but the ways in which teens interact is changing. Instead of passing notes in class teens are texting one another. If a teen whose family can not afford wireless communication technology tools does not own a cell phone they can not be privy to or contribute to these conversations. Technology has become an integral part of the communication between typical urban North American teenagers.

The technologies they are utilizing to keep in touch socially are branching out, “some young professionals are utilizing these sites for more than “friend collection” they use them as professional networking opportunities to get leads for business deals, look for jobs or promote their own businesses and this can make sense given the opportunity for contact-making to span continents.” (Lewis 2). Without initially having social contacts the teens will have difficulty building professional contacts on these sites.

There is little literature directly related to the topic of the digital divide’s effect on teen socialization. The only way to perform a literature review was to study articles about the digital divide in general and teen reliance on technology then combine the knowledge from both subjects to form an analysis.

Huang and Russel discuss the digital divide within the United States, “The findings show that the digital divide still exists, cutting through various socioeconomic factors, and that the relationship between technology accessibility and academic achievement may also exist,’” (Huang & Russell 160). They discuss throughout their article who is demographically at risk and most affected by the digital divide. This was a helpful overview for people new to the subject but did not offer surprising information.