Defining the digital divide
The digital divide refers to the gap between populations that have reliable access to digital technology — computers, smartphones, broadband internet — and those that do not. But the divide is not just about access. It is also about skills, confidence, and the ability to use technology effectively and safely.
Three layers of the divide
The first layer is access — whether you have a device and a reliable internet connection. The second layer is skills — whether you know how to use the technology available to you. The third layer, emerging now, is AI literacy — whether you understand how artificial intelligence shapes the systems and decisions that affect your life.
Why it matters for Bed-Stuy
Bedford-Stuyvesant has historically experienced significant digital exclusion. Broadband access, while improving, remains uneven. Device ownership rates among seniors and low-income households trail citywide averages. And digital skills gaps are widespread across generations.
What closing the divide requires
Closing the digital divide requires more than installing broadband infrastructure. It requires sustained investment in digital skills education, affordable devices, and ongoing support — especially for populations who have been systematically excluded from technology access.