Community Technology Centers and the Digital Divide: Implications for Computing Educators

Although the advent of information and communication technology (ICT) has created immense positive impact on society, it exasperates socioeconomic inequality. As ICT is becoming more intertwined with social, economic, educational, and political opportunities, the groups of people who do not have access to the ICT can be put in a disadvantaged socioeconomic position. This phenomenon is commonly known as the “Digital Divide”. One of the solutions promoted by both the United States Government and a number of private organizations to bridge the Digital Divide Problem is the establishment of Community Technology Center (CTC). This study examines the effects of CTC establishments on the Digital Divide problem in the United States. Specifically, the socioeconomic variables examined in this study include family annual income, race/origin, and educational attainment. The information presented in this study will be valuable to policy makers, community leaders, social workers, community developers, and city officials who are directly involved in designing initiatives to bridge the Digital Divide. Social scientists, lobbyists of special interest groups, educators, and individuals interested in philanthropic activities will also find the results of this study useful