Final answer:
Requiring government job applicants to apply using an online platform has the greatest potential to contribute to the digital divide as it assumes internet access that might not exist in rural and low-income areas. Other measures aim to reduce the divide by providing access and resources, but equal utilization must also be ensured.
Step-by-step explanation:
The state government activity that has the greatest potential to contribute to the digital divide rather than reducing it is requiring applicants for government jobs to apply using an online platform. This is because many individuals in rural or low-income areas may lack access to the internet or the necessary computing devices to complete such applications online. While other activities such as providing technology literacy programs at libraries, building network infrastructure in remote areas, and offering computing devices at discounted prices aim to close the digital divide, the online application requirement assumes a level of access that might not be present, effectively excluding those without digital access from employment opportunities.
Another crucial element to consider is that communities without high-speed internet access, or those in digital deserts, face significant disadvantages in participating in a digitally centered economy and society. In rural and low-income urban areas, the lack of internet access poses serious barriers to education, employment, and other essential services. Census data reflects that 'completely rural,' lower-income counties have the lowest rates of home Internet adoption, exacerbating social and economic inequalities.
Therefore, while initiatives to improve infrastructure and provide resources are steps towards closing the digital divide, any practice that perpetuates the necessity of digital access without addressing its availability equally contributes to the divide. As such, multiple approaches are necessary to not only provide access but also ensure the ability to effectively utilize such technology.