The Digital Divide Simulation is an experiential event designed to illustrate the real-life impact and compounding challenges faced by individuals with limited access to technology. The event asks participants to step into a persona’s shoes and experience their life through a well-articulated sequence of activities and obstacles. 

The goal of the simulation is to move participants from being unaware of the extent of the difficulties of an analog life in a digital world to appreciating what it’s like to live without home internet access, digital skills and a device. Loosely inspired by the Poverty Simulation, this Digital Divide Simulation came about with the collaboration of digital inclusion partners and leaders, including the National Digital Inclusion Alliance Listserv and Christal Watson from Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools.

KC Digital Drive held its first Digital Divide Simulation in the fall of 2023, and this initial event demonstrated the great need for simulations like it. The participants and volunteers alike had an increased awareness for the socioeconomic setbacks faced by Kansas Citians living on the wrong side of the Digital Divide. 

In the simulation, participants are asked to absorb the role of an individual or family and set out to complete a series of tasks over a “one month” period measured as four, 15-minute long, “weeks.” Tasks assigned to participants included enrolling their children in school, finding housing information online, and applying to government programs. There are “agencies” set up around the room to represent institutions and organizations that participants may need to visit to access resources. These included: the library, health center, employment office, school and utilities office as well as a “community organization” and workforce organization that offers digital skills classes.

The KC Digital Drive team is planning more of these events in the KC region and beyond. If you’re interested in participating, hosting your own simulation, or would like more information about the Digital Divide Simulation, please contact Leslie Scott at lscott@kcdigitaldrive.org, or fill out the Interest Form.

To read more about the first simulation event, check out this blog post.