The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected

In The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected, Nellie Bowles of the New York Times covers the digital gap from an angle most don’t expect: instead of the rich having access to technology and the poor lagging behind, the rich have the luxury to be removed from screens while the poor are increasingly reliant on them.

In the past, the concern around technology was that “rich students would have access to the internet earlier, gaining tech skills and creating a digital divide.” Now, the concern has flipped, as “it could happen that the children of poorer and middle-class parents will be raised by screens, while the children of Silicon Valley’s elite will be going back to wooden toys and the luxury of human interaction.” This divide is already happening in earnest, as “throwback play-based preschools” are popular in affluent areas, while states are funding online-only preschools for those who cannot afford preschool for their children otherwise. Public and private schools also have a stark difference in technology usage: “while the private Waldorf School of the Peninsula, popular with Silicon Valley Executives, eschews most screens, the nearby public Hillview Middle School advertises its 1:1 iPad program.”

Psychologist Richard Freed is frequently faced with two different scenarios: affluent parents want to hear him lecture about the book he wrote pertaining to “the dangers of screen-time for children” while low-income families at his practice have no idea that limiting screen time could help with the issues their children are going through. He is particularly concerned about the influence of psychology within companies that make technology and related tools “phenomenally addictive” based on their experience with persuasive design. Similarly, pediatrician Natasha Burgert fears that “technology is a huge social experiment on children,” promoted by companies that are lying to schools and parents about the importance of their tools. In Silicon Valley, parents like Kirstin Stecher, whose husband works as an engineer at Facebook, are raising their children “almost completely screen-free.”

The internet, though a place of information, has led to the poor of countries like the United States living in a world in which education is screen-based. Instead of providing access to better education and skillsets, screens are instead a way for persuasive design to manipulate and cause addiction in the kids that they are targeting. Instead of a digital gap in tech itself, according to Dr. Freed “the knowledge gap around tech’s danger is enormous.” Though the internet is certainly an asset in many ways, the way it has shaped our education system is dangerous—instead of blindly accepting it’s influence, it is important to understand the potential social consequences that screen abundance causes.

 

 

8 thoughts on “The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected

  1. The biggest take away from this first article: “The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids”, is that instead of the rich having access to technology and the poor lagging behind, the rich have the luxury to be removed from screens while the poor are increasingly reliant on them. The digital divide is affluent parents want to hear him lecture about the book he wrote pertaining to “the dangers of screen-time for children” while low-income families at his practice have no idea that limiting screen time could help with the issues their children are going through. It is important, because concerned about the influence of psychology within companies that make technology and related tools “phenomenally addictive” based on their experience with persuasive design. The digital divide affected me by being a middle-class child we learned from straight book and a little of computer work. It really taught me how to do everything by hand and computer was like for only big testes or you may call serious test.

  2. “The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected”
    The biggest take away from this first article: “The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids”, is that instead of the rich having access to technology and the poor lagging behind, the rich have the luxury to be removed from screens while the poor are increasingly reliant on them. The digital divide is affluent parents want to hear him lecture about the book he wrote pertaining to “the dangers of screen-time for children” while low-income families at his practice have no idea that limiting screen time could help with the issues their children are going through. It is important, because concerned about the influence of psychology within companies that make technology and related tools “phenomenally addictive” based on their experience with persuasive design. The digital divide affected me by being a middle-class child we learned from straight book and a little of computer work. It really taught me how to do everything by hand and computer was like for only big testes or you may call serious test.

    “Bridging the digital divide through digital equity offices”
    The digital divide in this article is that The American economy continues to digitalize at an astounding pace, but tens of millions of American households cannot access the digital economy due to physical gaps in local broadband networks, unaffordable subscription plans and personal devices, and a lack of digital skills. Digital equity offices would aim to address these structural barriers and ensure the digital economy reaches all local households. This is important, because establishing a digital equity office will create a permanent administrative unit to prioritize historically disadvantaged groups and neighborhoods, build trust, and create interventions to directly benefit those who have struggled the most to digitally compete. Other ways the U.S is establishing this is by local governments should build digital equity offices to deliver households the tools to physically access and use broadband and related digital services. Each office would be led by a digital equity officer who reports directly to the top elected executive as a member of the cabinet. The office would be responsible for publishing a Digital Equity Plan for the jurisdiction. That plan would set performance targets, establish strategies, collect data, and plan coordinated activities across multiple agencies, including those responsible for information technologies, economic development, social services, health care, and others. Digital equity offices would also serve as the lead office to liaise with state-level peers, ideally with a similar equity office at the state level. This is affecting someone I know by working to expand high-speed internet to more homes and businesses by extending opportunities that can get them to making the city’s fiber assets more accessible to companies, encouraging more market entrants, and expanding free Wi-Fi access points within the perimeter.

    “Why We Need To Bridge The Digital Divide And Prepare For The Future Of Work”
    The digital divide in this article is that “The World Economic Forum and the UN”, estimate that nearly half of the global population remains offline. In the U.S., 14% of children ages 3 to 18 lack internet access at home, meaning that more than 9 million schoolchildren face difficultly completing assignments online. This is important because this creates digital “haves” and “have-nots,” and in modern society. Other ways the government is trying to address this issue is by the UNESCO and the ITU’s Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development have set an ambitious target of connecting 75% of the world’s population to fast internet via cable or wireless by 2025. They are also trying to get skills and opportunities they need to participate in the digital transformation revolution. This digital divide has affected me by not being able to by the products like computers when I was growing up, because my family is middle class. I couldn’t by the things I needed like this until I was old enough and doing things on my own.

  3. Digital Gap

    The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids

    The article, “The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected”, talks about how originally the digital gap allowed richer kids the privilege to technology while the poor could not afford it, now the rich have the option to either while poor people are only more reliant on technology because school has made it cheaper to be taught that way. Nellie Bowles addresses how “states are funding online-only preschools for those who cannot afford preschool for their children otherwise”. If technology is making it easier for parents to afford school when they do not have the funds then of course they are going to decide to use it regardless of the impact of technology on younger children if they are not aware of it. The article even talks about how in private schools they choose to stay away from screen time. The biggest takeaway I get from this article is that there is also a knowledge gap when it comes to technology because poorer people are learning from technology instead of interactions and better access to education.

    Bridging the digital divide through digital equity offices

    The article, “Bridging the digital divide through digital equity offices”, conversates on how digital skills are necessary for jobs to increase. It talks about how it is important to build digital equity to fix disadvantages people have, for example, many do not have access to certain technology because they can not afford it or because they do not know how to use it. A lot of people can not afford to use Broadband, which provides high-speed internet access for multiple types of technology. We are trying to bridge the gap of the digital divide through digital equity offices so households can have the tools to access broadband and any other digital services. A digital equity office will ensure three things as referred to in the article, make sure that anyone of any demographic can subscribe to the wireless service, be made more affordable to lower-income households, and it would also help train people about the knowledge of digital skills. The biggest takeaway from this article is how digital equity offices could help so many in need who cannot afford technology, have the same advantages as those who can afford it.

    Why We Need To Bridge The Digital Divide And Prepare For The Future Of Work

    The article, “Why We Need To Bridge The Digital Divide And Prepare For The Future Of Work”, talks about the importance of bridging the divide and how it can give everyone the same opportunity to be “prepared for the future of work”. Digitalization is changing the future of work so being prepared for it is important. Bridging the gap will help with the participation of the revolution of digital transformation. Closing this gap can allow economic growth and thoughts of innovations. Peperaing for the future of work is essential because there can be disadvantages to digital transformations for some people so it is made important that everyone is able to benefit. One way this can be done is stated, “First, we must make training and education widely available to the under-educated and under-skilled so they have a better chance of meaningful work in the future”. This means that everyone should train and be made aware of different digital skills. The biggest takeaway of this article is how bridging the divide could help the economy move along better as a whole because we would be more united and aware of the same things.

    The digital divide is the separation of people who can access internet and technology from those who can not. This is important because people who do not have access to or knowledge about digital technologies and the Internet are at a disadvantage because they are seen as behind because technology is being used in our everyday life to live. One way the U.S. is addressing the issue is by using a program called Emergency Broadband Benefit, which is a “federal program that provides a $50 monthly discount on internet service to qualifying low-income households”, as stated by the article, “An Old Problem in the New Normal: The Digital Divide”. A way the digital divide has affected someone I know is how sometimes in school before tests to review we would play this game called Kahoot, which is used as technology education and you can only play this game using a tech ology device. Some people in High School did not have computers or phones so they would either not participate or have to share a device with someone.

  4. The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids
    The most important takeaway from the first piece, “The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids,” is that, rather than the rich having access to technology and the poor falling behind, the rich have the luxury of avoiding screens, while the poor are becoming increasingly dependant on them. Affluent parents want to hear him speak about the book he published about “the hazards of screen-time for children,” but low-income families at his practice have no idea that limiting screen time could assist with the problems their children are having. It is significant because it raises concerns about the effect of psychology within organizations that create “phenomenally addictive” technology and related products based on their compelling design experience.

    Bridging the digital divide through digital equity offices
    The American economy continues to digitalize at a breakneck rate, yet due to physical gaps in local broadband networks, unaffordable subscription plans and personal devices, and a lack of digital skills, tens of millions of American households are unable to participate in the digital economy. The goal of digital equity offices would be to address these structural barriers and ensure that the digital economy reaches all local households. Each new office would work collaboratively with other agencies and regional stakeholders to establish clear goals, co-design solutions, and track progress. The creation of a digital equity office will create a permanent administrative unit that will prioritize historically disadvantaged groups and communities, build trust, and develop interventions that will directly assist people who have struggled the hardest to compete in the digital world.

    Why We Need To Bridge The Digital Divide And Prepare For The Future Of Work
    In this article, the digital gap is defined as “the World Economic Forum and the United Nations” estimating that roughly half of the world’s population is still online. In the United States, 14% of children aged 3 to 18 do not have access to the internet at home, putting more than 9 million schoolchildren at a disadvantage when it comes to completing online projects. This is significant because it generates “haves” and “have-nots” in the digital world, as well as in modern society. The UNESCO and the International Telecommunication Union’s Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development have set an ambitious goal of connecting 75 percent of the world’s population to high-speed internet through cable or wireless by 2025. They’re also attempting to get the necessary skills and opportunity to engage in the digital transformation revolution.

    The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to the internet and those who do not. This is significant because those who lack access to or knowledge of digital technologies and the Internet are perceived as being behind the times because technology is employed in our daily lives. Growing up my family kept us up to date with what was going on in the world. I was fortunate to have technology and currently the digital divide has helped me. I am more comfortable learning and operating this way.

  5. The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected
    The rich kids had an early access to technology and the poor kids did not. By the rich kids having early access, they gained way more technology skills then the poor kids. Which created a digital divide. Poor kids are heavily reliant on screens. The state is funding online pre school for those who can not afford traditional in school preschool. A lot of public schools promotes the use of technology such as computers and Ipads. Private schools do not. By the public school system heavily promoting the use of technology devices makes the poor kids think that that is the new norm and they become reliant on the devices.

    Bridging the digital divide through digital equity offices
    The American economy is steadily digitalizing at a rapid pace and millions of American households can not keep up with the pace. American households can not keep up with the digital economy because of the physical space in local broadband networks. Most families lack digital skills and cannot afford certain subscriptions plans or personal devices.

    Why We Need To Bridge The Digital Divide And Prepare For The Future Of Work
    Roughly fifty percent of the population of the entire world remains offline. It is not just poor countries that does not have access to connections. In the United States 14 percent of school aged children do not have internet access at home. With school being primarily online because of the pandemic, millions of kids are facing difficulties with submitting assignments online.

    The biggest take away from all the sources is that Kids should not be heavily reliable on technology devices no matter their financial status. There should be more human interaction. Internet subscriptions should be made free or affordable so people can stay up to date with things such as the economy and be aware of things that are going on. The digital divide is between the fortunate who have access to technology and the less fortunate that does not have access to technology. The US is addressing the issue by putting programs into place that make internet connections and devices easily accessible for everyone. The digital divide really did not affect me. I did have access to technology devices but I was not reliant on them.

  6. The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected
    In this article, the ultimate divide between the rich and poor kids is the advantage that rich kids have over the poor. They have an advantage due to them having access to technology and better opportunities. The rich also have the luxury to avoid being reliant on technology while the poor does not. A personal experience that I have encountered in public schools constantly advertising the use of the newest technology while the private schools does not. I feel that personally during something first hand without the use of technology definitely has it advantages.

  7. 1. Summarize each of the 3 articles.
    The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected
    This article outlines the privileges afforded to wealthy children as it relates to access to technology in contrast to poor children. This privilege allowed the wealthy children to become more proficient with technology creating what is now known as the digital divide. This article also addresses the state funding of online schooling for preK students for those who are not able to afford traditional schooling. This can be shown to be extremely detrimental to the learning ability of the poorer children, as it conditions them to rely on this technology as a means of learning. Wealthier students, on the other hand, are not exposed to this type of learning as they are afforded different styles of learning.
    Bridging the Digital Divide Through Digital Equity Offices
    This article refers to how the economy continues to digitize rapidly, millions of American households struggle to keep up with the pace due to the physical space provided in local broadband networks. Majority of these families are unable to grasp the ways in which these new technologies operate, keeping them stagnant in that area.
    Why We Need to Bridge the Digital Divide and Prepare for the Future of Work
    According to this article, 50% of the population of the world is offline. Surprisingly, this does not only pertain to poorer countries as 14% of the U.S population of school aged children do not have home access to the internet. It outlines the difficulties faced during the Covid-19 pandemic and challenges with submitting work assignments through virtual learning platforms.
    2. What is the biggest take away from each?
    The biggest take away from each article is the importance of balance in all aspects of life. The digital divide between rich and poor would not exist if it had not been for equal opportunities. As easy as it is for us to gain knowledge of the differences being produced throughout youth schooling, we should be able to come up with solutions to why one is better than the other and what we can do to change that. The same pertains to work-from-home environments. Businesses have had to find a quick and easy solution once the pandemic forced us to work from home and this took balance or else the businesses were not substantial.
    3. What is the digital divide and why is it important?
    The digital divide is the imbalance of technology use and access geographically. Some people are afforded the opportunity to keep up with the expansions of the digital world, as others struggle to keep up with their peers as it relates to operating and accessing new technology.
    4. What are other ways the U.S. is addressing this issue?
    The U.S. is having to focus heavily on the missing digital equity infrastructure in the communities. This will happen by local governments producing equity offices with the purpose of delivering households the resources needed in order to access and utilize broadband and other digital services. Each office will have a hand in establishing what is called the Digital Equity Plan for each jurisdiction. The purpose of this plan is to set performance targets, establish strategies, collect data and plan coordinated activities across multiple agencies.
    5. Explain how the digital divide affected you or someone you know.
    The digital divide affects the children in the child centers of my community as well as relatives with younger parents who are not equipped to teach their children as a classroom setup would. It is extremely important in my community to limit the usage of technology for children as I have encountered many situations where they are becoming addicted to their screens. This affects their social capabilities and their overall behavior as a student.

  8. 1.The article, “The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected”, talks about how originally the digital gap allowed richer kids the privilege to technology while the poor could not afford it, now the rich have the option to either while poor people are only more reliant on technology because school has made it cheaper to be taught that way.The rich kids had an early access to technology and the poor kids did not. By the rich kids having early access, they gained way more technology skills then the poor kids.This article outlines the privileges afforded to wealthy children as it relates to access to technology in contrast to poor children. This privilege allowed the wealthy children to become more proficient with technology creating what is now known as the digital divide.This can be shown to be extremely detrimental to the learning ability of the poorer children, as it conditions them to rely on this technology as a means of learning. Wealthier students, on the other hand, are not exposed to this type of learning as they are afforded different styles of learning.
    “Bridging the digital divide through digital equity offices”
    The digital divide in this article is that The American economy continues to digitize at an astounding pace, but tens of millions of American households cannot access the digital economy due to physical gaps in local broadband networks, unaffordable subscription plans and personal devices, and a lack of digital skills.This is important, because establishing a digital equity office will create a permanent administrative unit to prioritize historically disadvantaged groups and neighborhoods, build trust, and create interventions to directly benefit those who have struggled the most to digitally compete. Other ways the U.S is establishing this is by local governments should build digital equity offices to deliver households the tools to physically access and use broadband and related digital services.
    “Why We Need To Bridge The Digital Divide And Prepare For The Future Of Work”
    The digital divide in this article is that “The World Economic Forum and the UN ” estimate that nearly half of the global population remains offline. In the U.S14% of children ages 3 to 18 lack internet access at home, meaning that more than 9 million school children face difficulty completing assignments online.With school being primarily online because of the pandemic, millions of kids are facing difficulties with submitting assignments online.Digitalization is changing the future of work so being prepared for it is important. Bridging the gap will help with the participation of the revolution of digital transformation. Closing this gap can allow economic growth and thoughts of innovations. Preparing for the future of work is essential because there can be disadvantages to digital transformations for some people so it is important that everyone is able to benefit.
    2.The biggest take away from each article is the importance of balance in all aspects of life. The digital divide between rich and poor would not exist if it had not been for equal opportunities.
    The digital equity offices could help so many in need who cannot afford technology, have the same advantages as those who can afford it.Children should not be heavily reliant on technology devices no matter their financial status.
    3.The digital divide – the gap in access to and use of technology and the internet – is both a cause and effect of poverty. The rich and educated are more likely to have access to digital resources, and those with limited online access options tend to be lower-income and non-white.The digital divide has especially far-reaching consequences when it comes to education. For children in low-income school districts, inadequate access to technology can hinder them from learning the tech skills that are crucial to success in today’s economy.
    4.One way the U.S. is addressing the issue is by using a program called Emergency Broadband Benefit, which is a “federal program that provides a $50 monthly discount on internet service to qualifying low-income households”, as stated by the article, “An Old Problem in the New Normal: The Digital Divide”.The US is addressing the issue by putting programs into place that make internet connections and devices easily accessible for everyone.
    5.The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to technology, the internet and digital literacy training and those who do not. It affects all generations – both rural and urban communities – as well as a wide variety of industries and sectors. School-age children are affected by the digital divide through the Homework Gap – the gap that occurs when they are assigned homework requiring internet access but don’t have home access.The rapid pace at which technology and required technology skills are advancing in the workplace is leaving behind workers without digital skills, access to the internet and computing devices. It’s also having an impact on businesses efficiency and competitiveness.

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