Wooten 1

Jada Wooten

4/16/2022

IPS-304

Digital Literacy vs. Internet Access

Introduction to the Problem

The lack of Wifi/Internet for residents nationwide is an ongoing problem. Due to Covid-

19 , we have seen the digital divide more than ever before. Billions of people were forced to

migrate online to keep in touch with others, receive health care, and keep jobs. However, without

internet access, these oppurtunities are limited. Its no question that technology has taken the

world by storm. Although, the number of citizens without internet access is steadily growing.

One of the problems faced by many is expenses. Access to the Internet comes at an expensive

rate which many cannot afford. This causes many households to go without the internet, leaving

them no way to connect to others. Also without internet citizens could lack acess to important

meetings , education, and opportunities. Lastly, people facing the absence of the internet are kept

out of the digital “loop”. They are slowly dragging behind to keep up with technological

advances due to the lack the access. Thus, causing declining digital literacy skills.Contemorary

media literacies proposes a solution to this problem that goes beyond printed text and reading

and writing. Thus furthering the understanding of evaluating spatial, textual, and visual aspects

of digital literacies. I will use the idea of Multimodal and Contemperary media literacies to offer

a solution to this problem while also providing evidence to support my proposal.

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Overall , the problem of inequity amongst internet consumers is a pressing issue that needs to be

addressed. Internet and technology are staples of our lives, without it leaves many lost and

confused about media/digital literacy importance.

Discussion

One of the main issues faced by persons without internet access is their decline in digital

literacies and affordability. Digital literacy is “ having the skills you need to live, learn, and work

in a society where communication and access to information are increasingly through digital

technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices” (Western City

University). In a world driven by technology, it's hard to function without knowledge of how to

use it. For example, In Donnell Probst's “U.S. lacks media literacy education in public schools”

he states how Americans are ill equipt to register digital information due to the lack of media

literacy education. “Where is media literacy in the public education system in the U.S.? Not only

does the U.S. lack a media education requirement in primary or secondary curriculums, it is not

even a requirement for students attending college in the US.So is it any wonder the U.S. has

some of the most ill-informed citizens in the world despite our extensive access to a wide array

of media and information? The problem seems to lie in the fact that while access to information

abounds, Americans are ill-equipped to manage and interpret this information meaningfully.”

(Propt , 2014, para 9). Propt also emphasizes that no matter how academically successful

American students are , it means only little when it comes to the digital age if one doesn't know

how to interpret and analyze vast information. This topic relates to Contemperary media

literacies because it goes beyond the knowledge of reading and writing. Instead it focuses on

Muilimodel theory of analysizing text. The Muiltimodel theory is defined as “the decoding and
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encoding of words, while similarly attending to the spatial layout of the text, images and other

modes of representation (e.g. gestural meanings of represented characters, material features of

the book). Yet undeniably, people-driven technological developments of communication have

given rise to a much more diverse range of texts and textual practices.”(Mills, D.K. A., Pg. 44, ).

The lack of internet links to Muiltimodel literacy because multiple elements of communication

and analysis come into play. One being digital and media literacy. Without internet many arent

given the chance to develop digital literacy skills, making them incable of Muilimodel

literacy.”Schools and after-school programs must devote more attention to fostering what we call

the new media literacies: a set of cultural competencies and social skills that young people need

in the new media landscape. Participatory culture shifts the focus of literacy from individual

expression to community involvement. The new literacies almost all involve social skills

developed through collaboration and networking. “(Jenkins, 2009). Without educating students

on the importance of media literacies, they are left without the essential skills needed to tackle

the new media landscape. The research I have conducted does infact reinforce my views on

digital literacy. Without the proper education of digital literacy, cultural competencies and social

skills many are left at a stand still when it comes to the new digital age.

Surprisingly, the research extended my thinking as I did not consider affordability as

another disadvantage. Due to the cost, many simply cannot afford to keep the internet in their

house. Triad City Beat.com uses Leah’s story as evidence of this problem.” I have a problem

with affordability and the lack of competition in every zip code,” she said. “The lack of

competition keeps prices unaffordable. I’m disabled and my income is disability only — $70 per

month for internet only via Spectrum is not at all reasonable.” ( Triad City Beat.com, 2022).

Leah is just one out of the many people struggling to keep up with rising internet prices
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throughout Guilford County.As stated above, the lack of internet keeps many people at a

standstill when it comes to digital literacy. Contemporary Media Literacies offers the ability to

analyze and access media messages as well as create and reflect using the information found in a

variety of works. This relates to affordability because in order to gain access you have to pay

unreasonable prices. This could cause hardship for potential customers that do not have the

means to meet the quota for internet access. This topic is dear to my heart because of my

grandmas current situation. Like Leah, my grandma is also a senior citizen facing a fixed

income. For years, she has been paying rent by writing a check. Now, she has to pay online using

an app, their online portal, or physically go to a vendor to hand in the check. This presents

problems for muiltple reasons . For one, she doesn’t have any means of technology at her

disposal. No phone , laptop, or PC . Being that she doesn’t have any means of technology, she

does not have adequate digital media literacy skills. On top of paying her rent , she also has to

pay a fee in order to use the app . This poses a problem being that she’s on a fixed income and

fees associated with the app will continue to increase. For these reasons, affordability is a topic

that needs to be addressed by not just Guilford County residents but everyone in the nation.

Solution

A solution to this problem is finding a way to make internet more accessible.

Accessibility goes hand and hand with affordability. Access to internet has to come with

affordable prices. Therefore, more citizens gain access to internet without having to worry about

high expenses. The article by Triad City Beat discusses Guilford Counties' mission to analyze

research in making the internet access for residents.”For the last several weeks, Guilford County

staff have been working to collect stories like Leigh’s in an effort to understand the problems
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many county residents have when it comes to accessing or affording high-speed internet.

Recently, the county approved a $500,000 contract with Guidehouse, a Chicago consultancy

firm, to gather information and make recommendations to alleviate the issues. So far Guidehouse

and county staff have collected data from an online survey, hosted multiple community

meetings, and conducted interviews with stakeholders, such as staff with Guilford County

Schools and the area municipalities, to get a full scope of the problem.”(Triad City Beat.com,

2022). Also, by making internet more affordable for many , this opens up ouppurtunities for

students to receive online education. For some, in person education may not be accessible ,

causing them to miss out on educational opportunities. However , with affordable internet access,

those students are now presented the option to get the same proper education at home. “televised

schooling has one enormous advantage for the over 1 billion children worldwide who are shut

out of schools by the coronavirus pandemic: It can reach them.” (Mueller & Mitra, 2020). Due

to the pandemic, televised and virtual learning is the only way students can continue their

education. Although, without affordable internet at home , how is this possible? I do believe

making the internet more affordable is the best solution because it is something that should be

available to everyone. Just like a library card. In order to have access to the books in the library ,

you have to pay a fee for a library card. Thus it should be the same with internet access. In order

to have access to internet, you should pay a small fee for accessibility. I believe my solution will

work because most citizens use internet on a day to day basis. Therefore, with various of people

paying the fees for internet access, wifi companies are still receiving their portion of the profit.

Also, by lowering rates for internet increases the amount of customers willing to buy. Creating

an increased amount of customers and money for companies in the long run.
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Acknowledge (and Counter) Alternative Views

As for every proposal , counter arguments are always apparent when proposing a

problem. Those who do not agree with me are probably coming from a business standpoint. In

order to lower the cost of the internet, some companies might make less money in the long run. I

would address their concerns by reinforcing how lower rates have the potential to bring more

business to their companies. Cheaper internet prices will bring more paying customers in ,

resulting in more business. This solution is convenient for every citizen. Both high and low-class

individuals will appreciate broadband internet at a reasonable price.

Recommendations and Conclusion

In conclusion , the lack of internet access among citizens is causing many to fall behind

in digital literacy. The lack of internet access also goes hand and hand with affordability. In order

to solve this problem I reccomend making internet affordable for everyone. If not, with the rapid

growth of technology, many will continue to lack essential skills for the future.
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References

Guilford County working to alleviate broadband issues through data collection, funding

allocation. Triad City Beat. (2022, February 9). Retrieved April 17, 2022, from https://triad-city-

beat.com/guilford-county-broadband-issues/

Jenkins, H. (2018). Confronting the challenges of Participatory Culture: Media

Education for the 21st century (the john D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation reports on

Digital Media and learning). Project Muse. MIT Press. Retrieved April 17, 2022, from

https://muse.jhu.edu/chapter/2175220.

Probst, D. (2014, September 24). U.S. lacks media literacy education in public schools.

University Wire. Retrieved April 17, 2022, from

https://www-proquest-com.libproxy.uncg.edu/docview/1564506582/abstract/

3C49E6C4092F4467PQ/1?accountid=14604.

Mills, K. (2016). Literacy theories for the digital age: Social, critical, multimodal,

spatial, material and sensory lenses. Multilingual Matters.

Mueller, B., & Taj, M. (2020, Aug 17). Struggling under lockdown, schools worldwide

relearn the value of TV. New York Times Retrieved from https://login.libproxy.uncg.edu/login?

url=https://www-proquest-com.libproxy.uncg.edu/newspapers/struggling-under-lockdown-

schools-worldwide/docview/2434503815/se-2?accountid=14604
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