Hoax

 As more and more of the world around us adapts and transitions to online formats, it is important to remember that just because technology might be prominent in our lives, it is not for everyone else. There is a massive digital divide that exists not only between the United States and other countries, but within different regions of the United States. Due to this digital divide, there are inherent inequities that exist within various communities even across a state. This means that not everyone is able to have the same experience. 

In terms of education, this digital divide is seen in public schools due to the ways in which they are funded. In the same city, there can be one school that is paid for by taxes from a very wealthy neighborhood that has high speed wifi, new laptops and computers, and new technology that helps improve a students learning experience. However, there is also a school who is paid for by taxes from a struggling neighborhood which does not have wifi, has outdated technology in the classroom, and might not have computers that students can access. This digital divide is then furthered through unequal access to high achieving classes such as AP/IB offerings, after school extracurriculars, and quality of education that often leads to those in the lower funded school having lower standardized testing scores and higher drop out rates.

Digital equality is a simple notion that everyone has access to technologies and has the ability to use them. This affects everyone, regardless of their age, race, class, background or location. The goal of digital equality is that everyone has the same opportunities to take advantage of technology. 

This is important when considering restorative practices because the goal of restorative practices is to improve and repair the relationships between people and communities, to to build health relationships and create a way in which harm is able to be repaired. Restorative justice practices have recently been adapted to education as a way to help students resolve problems bother personally and broadly. Most importantly, restorative practices are proactive. They strive to create relationships and systems that can benefit those involved in conflict before conflict even happens. 

This cannot happen if there is a digital divide because then not everyone will be on the same level playing field. There are those who have more benefits and advantages than others do. This is inherently, unequal. Without digital equality, restorative justice practices cannot be as effective as they truly are due to the inequities that exist within the community. 

Interested in learning more about restorative justice practices and education? Check out our podcast here!