Help play a role in bridging Charlotte's digital divide
The internet is important to everyone, and access to it is becoming increasingly important as education systems, governments and businesses shift more and more services online.
However, according to a study conducted by the Knight School of Communication at Queens University, 19 percent of Charlotte households do not have internet access. This digital divide - the gap between those who are connected to the internet and those who are not - means there are Charlotte residents who are not participating in 21st century opportunities.
As a neighborhood leader, you can play a role in bridging the digital divide in your community.
When planning your National Night Out, Back to School event and other fall festivals, invite a local digital resource provider to attend your event to share their services with your neighbors. Doing so will help your neighborhood connect with the tools and resources needed to be successful.
To help you and your neighborhood with this, we have created a contact list for local organizations that provide digital training, internet access, and low-cost electronic devices. These organizations are able to staff tables at community events to showcase the services they offer. However, the number of events that each organization can attend may be limited.
If you’re not hosting a fall event but want to learn more about digital resources in Charlotte -- including plans underway to develop a digital inclusion strategy -- visit DigitalCharlotte.org and follow @digCLT on Twitter.
