Closing The Divide

There are several devices that are contributing to the reduction of the digital divide. The two
most impactful technologies that can be used to close the Digital divide are smart phones and
television. Both are slowly but surely becoming necessity’s in today world.

Smart phones are most likely the most vital to the closing of the digital gap. According to
Loyola University’s article “Smartphones Aiding in Digital Divide” Sixty-eight percent of
Americans now own a smartphone, that’s an increase from 55 percent two years ago. Online
banking, maps, communication, buy and selling goods are all ways that smartphones help in
todays world. Over time the gap is closing because of the fact that smartphones are now
considered common. The more smartphones evolve the harder it becomes for anyone to ignore
their dramatic impact on everyday life. Social media is highly advertised to the millennial
generation so most of millennials have access to a smart phone.

The other technology that is playing a big role in the closure of the digital divide are
televisions. Overtime TV marketing instilled the idea of bigger is better into the mind of
consumers keeping their product relevant. News and other thing being broadcasted live gives
people the incentive to own a TV. TV also now contains thousands of channels this makes it
easy for everyone to find something they enjoy. Regardless of age, gender, religion or race
there is something on television that will entice the viewer. I found a very detailed video on
Microsoft.com link is listed below. This video goes in depth about how TV “white space” is
heling close the digital gap.

https://www.loyola.edu/academics/emerging-media/blog/2017/smartphones-aiding-in-digital-divide

https://news.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2019/06/25/airband-white-space/