The (In)equality of the Internet

Ellen Seiter’s text, The Internet Playground covers in part the disparity of the Internet for students across different class levels. Similar to our discussion on convergence culture last week, the Internet was and is often heralded as this great force that has the ability to change everything and bring about a better democracy. Cleary, as Seiter outlines, this isn’t the case.

Access to technology requires money—from purchasing the equipment, paying for Internet and maintenance—as Seiter puts it, “the Internet is so heavily skewed toward white, English-speaking professionals who are interested in making purchases online.” (17) New technologies have the ability to promote development and raise up marginalized cultures, but unless access can be gained, which is hard for marginalized communities. The Internet contributes to creating a greater class divide.

Yesterday, Gawker posted an interview from the author of the bookhttp://gawker.com/is-the-internet-making-us-more-unequal-a-q-a-with-astr-1563177911, The People's Platform: Taking Back Power and Culture in the Digital Age, Astra Taylor. Taylor says “the main reason you think the Internet isn't the "democratizing" force we were promised” is “because of money.” She goes on to state, “the web is not an even playing field. There are economic hierarchies, and there's this rich-get-richer phenomenon.”

Seiter’s research specifically looks at technological inequalities in education, albeit seemingly unaware about the extreme economical disparity in education long before the Internet (see: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?). Seiter does note the importance of learning how to use computers and the Internet. The use of technology is vital for “social inclusion” and does have the power to create a more equal playing field for marginalized communities, a possibility Taylor echoes.

What was striking is the observations Seiter makes in her book in 2007 are very similar to the issues covered by Taylor in her book in 2014, despite the 7 year difference, a long time in technological terms. Interestingly, Taylor says, “there was a disconnect between this chatter from a fundamental characteristic of our world, just sitting there, and I just felt like somebody had to address it.” Apparently, the optimism about an Internet utopia is still present today, despite earlier efforts of scholars like Seiter, to show otherwise.