Digital Divide - Generation Gap
By Susan Coss

These days are known as informational and user friendly. Those up to date on the current digital technology are in the know. Others spend their time referencing back to hardbound books. What separates this generation technological gap and how do we close it?

“Simply stated, the Digital Divide is the gap between those who can effectively use communication and information tools such as the Internet and those who cannot,” according to Yolanda D. Edwards, Federal Communication Law Journal, May 2005, Vol. 57, Iss. 3; pg 585, 8 pgs.

I concur; I was once on the other side of the fence looking over at those who could create, use and store anything with the click of a mouse. I had to close my gap by taking courses and actually using digitalized equipment. Our society is only becoming more digitally advanced and less labor intensive with searching, messaging, and shopping; one that is without needs to get into the groove of things.

The question stands out in my mind, how many of us are information literate and who is illiterate and do people want to change? There are self-assisting books such as Easy Computing for Seniors by Frank K Wood, Windows XP for Seniors and Digital Photo Editing for Seniors by Addo Stuur. These books and others are meant to make moving into the digital era easier for those who have been without. Seniors may be in the title, but anyone can use the books successfully.

Books whether they be online or on a shelf are still the most credible of sources and are here as teaching tools. So don’t worry about losing good reading habits.

Identifying what you don’t know and what is essential to know is what creates a curiosity that can turn into self-help. We live in a first world country that once built our foundation on many freedoms, freedom of religion, presses, speech and so forth. Did our founding fathers know what kind of knowledge their future generations would stumble across? That a young boy named Philo T. Farnsworth would help in the creation of the television? What was once the first image of a dollar sign can now be seen in high definition and replayed when live?

If they could have seen the future, they would do their best to gain all the knowledge they could about these advanced devices. I’m sure of it. Knowledge is power, as so many have put it.

There are so many inventions for the computer and Internet that everyone should be aware of. From the daily Web Casts from nationwide news stations to the bargain shopping done online, there are numerous things to do with a computer. People that take the time to learn how to efficiently use the Internet have an up in many job positions as opposed to those who do not. Depending on what kind of programs one knows how to use on the computer such as software, can be a matter of standing out in the world and not. Most companies are online as well as in a store or can be reached via phone. Most companies are technology-reliant and with this, come a responsibility as a potential employer or citizen to become technologically literate.

Not only do people need to become Internet savvy, but also what happens when voting can be legally processed online, when health care such as e-health becomes the central station for appointment set-ups and paying those bills? They need to learn to use the Internet to their benefit. Gas prices are not settling any lower than $1.90 per gallon these days and saving time and money are everything.  Spending time with family is important and using technology efficiently gives you time for what really matters in life.

There are local colleges that offer teaching courses on how to become computer literate. Clark County College offers some courses to help people review their skills or acquires new ones called: Introduction to Computing, Computing Essentials, Introduction to Windows, Introduction to MAC/OS, PC Support Customer Service Skills, Introduction to the Internet, Beginning Programming, Intro to Programming & Problem Solving, HTML Fundamentals, Introduction to PHP, Introduction to UNIX, Into to Local Area Networks, Introduction to Access, Introduction to Database Design using Access, Cooperative Work Experience, PC Help Desk Work Experience, A+PC Operating System Technologies, Windows Administration, Windows Network Troubleshooting. Network Services – Windows Server 2003 and Special Projects. These courses are most likely to be taught at any local school near you. There are courses not only to help younger people, but those who are in the need to know.

With great advantages like these above, it is a wonder more people are not taking advantage of what they can be taught or learn. Other than the digital side of things, there are all sorts of high-tech equipment for people to use and spend their time more efficiently. BMW has teamed up with Apple to accommodate Ipod users that would prefer to hear their own music in their car. Acura has teamed up with Bluetooth to have a hands free phone in the car while driving. Lincoln Navigators actually navigate where you’d like to go.

Cellular phones connect to the Internet wirelessly, play music, and store video and photo. I see twelve year olds with cell phones; I just got my first one in January! Our younger generation will soon no longer know a world of waiting for snail mail. Online banking has taken over along with online bill payment plans. It is vital that our elders know how to use these products of a millennial generation. Up to speed and up to date is the direction this world is headed. It is a shame to waste what should be learned. 

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