Digital Divide

Since the dawn of time, there has always been a line drawn between the haves and the have-nots. Those on the winning side often fail to see the problem with this division; in fact, they come to embrace it. After all, without it, how would they know they are winning? As time passes, new divides emerge. Initially, it was the invention of the wheel—those who mastered it were able to travel farther, work faster, and leave others behind. Now, in the 21st century, that divide has been redefined by technology.

The digital divide isn’t just some minor inconvenience it’s a serious problem that keeps people stuck, making it harder to access basic necessities like education, jobs, housing, and healthcare. And let’s be real, in 2024, the internet isn’t a luxury. It’s a requirement for functioning in everyday life. But thanks to absurdly high prices and a complete lack of urgency from those in charge, millions of people are being left behind.

Right now, home internet costs an average of $70 a month. Meanwhile, the federal minimum wage is still a pathetic $7.25 an hour—unchanged since 2009. If you’re doing the math, that means a minimum-wage worker has to put in almost 10 hours of labor just to afford internet. That’s an entire workday before taxes, just to have access to the same basic resources many of us take for granted.

But fixing this isn’t some unsolvable mystery. We already have proof that affordable internet is possible. Take Chattanooga, Tennessee, for example—they’ve got municipal broadband that offers high-speed internet at way lower rates than the big providers. If more cities invested in these kinds of community-based services, it would put pressure on major ISPs to stop overcharging people. On top of that, programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (which helps low-income households pay for internet) need to be expanded and made permanent. The government should be making it easier to get online, not harder. And let’s not forget regulation. Big internet providers shouldn’t be able to price-gouge just because they know people have no other options.

Of course, cost isn’t the only issue. A lot of people never had the chance to learn how to navigate the digital world, and now they’re expected to just figure it out on their own. From job applications to self-checkouts to something as simple as scanning a QR code, tech is everywhere, but not everyone was given the tools to keep up. Instead of assuming people will “just learn,” we should actually teach them. Public libraries, community centers, and schools need to offer free digital literacy courses, and companies should train employees instead of only hiring people who already have those skills.

If we don’t do something, the gap is only going to get bigger. And if you think this doesn’t affect you, remember that an unequal internet means an unequal future. The ability to connect, learn, and work shouldn’t be reserved for those who can afford it. Making internet access fair, lowering prices, and actually teaching people how to use technology isn’t some radical idea—it’s common sense.

Kindness, D. (2025). 2025 minimum wage by state and what employers need to know. OnPay.

Kane, J. (2025, February 25). Commentary: Broadband policies are wasting the chance to make America connected. The Journal Courier. https://www.myjournalcourier.com/opinion/article/broadband-policies-wasting-chance-connect-joe-20183246.php

Sherman, M. (2025, March 26). Supreme Court seems likely to OK $8 billion phone and internet subsidy for rural, low-income areas. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/c51526ec5c78ed913064b1c4d3399ba2