This week’s reading had me nodding vigorously in agreement with the arguments, reflections, and reports made throughout. The older readings are still relevant (for better or worse), even if the particulars of the technology being referred to has changed. 21st Century Digital Divide had me reflecting on my own experience of being on both sides of the “digital divide”.
Tech related knowledge seemingly happened by osmosis for my peers. I was painfully aware that youth was not synonymous with innate technological know-how. The common advice for older generations who didn’t know how to use their gadgets was, (still is) to “ask a young person”. I was unfortunately not that person.
I didn’t learn much beyond the basic tech required of me to get by in school, which was minimal. This came at a cost. Many of the things that people learned to do through using social channels or other programs translated to other useful ways of navigating education, the workplace, the world. I didn’t want to be outed as a luddite, so I didn’t ask for help. Thankfully, I have since caught up, but this experience stayed with me. I have so much empathy for anyone who doesn’t know how to even ask the right questions for help- being in that paradox of “if they knew the question to ask, they wouldn’t have to ask it”.
Technical literacy is vital to functioning in the world today and it pains me that the people who could most benefit from it don’t have enough help. It takes courage to ask questions, and libraries can be a safe space to do so. Dedicated tech literacy drop in times are a good way to offer resources to people of all ages who need guidance.
Building a culture of literacy is crucial to people’s well being; it cultivates agency, and builds ones capacity to collaborate within community. It is integral to the fabric of our democracy (Williams & Muller, 2021). Access to literacy is only one half of the equation; action must be taken to ensure its barriers can be surmounted.
