Taylor Chapter 4 definition
group: Yesenia Williams, Marisa Chung, Farrah Duplessis
In Chapter 4, Taylor defines “second level digital divide” as socially stratified variations in online skills and behaviors. She brings up the notion that there is inequality amongst people in their online usage, specifically high or low income; contrary to the belief that once all people are logged in there is digital equality. There are differences in people’s online skills such as frequency, patterns, or ability to research many topics. In analyzing the internet users, the most significant difference are in access, who has it versus who doesn’t, and how it is being used and their ability to find information. Second level digital divide is a socioeconomic creation that separates society and initiates inequality based on race, gender, and social class. An example would be a person who can only afford a cell phone versus a home, or school computer to conduct their searches and research. One will have a significant better chance and opportunity to conduct those searches versus the other. These disparities can play a role in any future ability to get a job, start a business, or excel in school.
This chapter was so interesting. To discuss digital media from the perspective of inequality brought to the forefront issues not typically talked about. The ability to measure the discrimination and biases that occur online can be difficult. The people utilizing the web come from all walks of life with numerous motivations. Taylor finds that with the second level digital divide, amongst other ways that discrimination occurs on the web whether it’s race, gender etc. this is only one topic among many that needs attention. With choosing to tackle them, gives hope for a better Internet culture. It needs to start with the reality that inequality exists in a place where we least expect it.
