This seems like an attempt by a journalist to write off a complex problem because it does not reduce to something simple.
As a high school teacher, I see a clear difference between students who have internet access at home, and students who don't. I see a difference between students who have guidance at home in how to use the internet appropriately, and those who don't.
Students who have access and guidance at home spend their online time at school focused on learning. Technology is a tool for their learning. Students who don't have access or guidance at home spend their time in school learning about the technology, rather than using the technology to serve their learning needs. Students who don't have access at home also spend a lot of time trying to avoid learning and use facebook/ youtube etc.
The "digital divide" concept is messy, but it is real.
As a high school teacher, I see a clear difference between students who have internet access at home, and students who don't. I see a difference between students who have guidance at home in how to use the internet appropriately, and those who don't.
Students who have access and guidance at home spend their online time at school focused on learning. Technology is a tool for their learning. Students who don't have access or guidance at home spend their time in school learning about the technology, rather than using the technology to serve their learning needs. Students who don't have access at home also spend a lot of time trying to avoid learning and use facebook/ youtube etc.
The "digital divide" concept is messy, but it is real.