Navigating the digital divide: a new challenge for counsellors

In today’s fast-paced world, one challenge keeps surfacing in school counselling circles: the digital divide. It’s no longer just about who has a device and who doesn’t. It’s about who can use those tools effectively and who’s quietly slipping behind.

As someone working in a specialised boarding school in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, I’ve seen firsthand how unequal access to technology can create major gaps – not just academically, but emotionally. Students from lower-income families often struggle to keep up with online opportunities, from university applications to career exploration tools. And, unfortunately, it’s not just their grades that suffer – it’s their confidence, motivation and sense of possibility, too.

Understanding the challenge

The Covid-19 pandemic was responsible for highlighting much of this divide. Suddenly, everything went online: college admissions, virtual internships and career portals like BridgeU. But while some students adapted quickly, others – especially those without regular internet or digital guidance – fell behind in silence.

The CAP module on Empowering Students, Parents, and Communities emphasised a critical point: school counsellors can’t ignore this gap. We’re not just academic guides, we’re equity advocates.

What do counsellors need to know?

Here’s what I’ve learned matters most:

- Digital access is about more than just WiFi and laptops: it’s about knowing how to navigate platforms like the Common App, how to search for scholarships safely, and how to connect with mentors online. Without that literacy, a student may own a device but still be disconnected.

- Talent doesn’t always show up online: some of our most engaged, high-achieving students are invisible in digital spaces. Not because they lack drive, but because they simply don’t know how to present themselves online. That’s why we need to step in early.

- Parents need guidance too: many parents aren’t familiar with online application systems. But their involvement is crucial. Helping them understand the process empowers the whole family.

To bridge this divide, our school has implemented several initiatives, many of them inspired by strategies shared in THE CAP webinars and peer counsellor forums:

1. Digital literacy workshops

We host monthly Digital Prep Hours for both students and families. These sessions include:

• Creating professional email accounts
• Navigating university websites
• Practising online scholarship searches
• Filling out sample application forms

2. Peer mentorship: the digital buddy system

Older, tech-savvy students serve as digital mentors for younger peers. It’s a low-pressure, high-impact model that builds trust and boosts digital confidence.

3. Offline-first resources

Recognising that some students’ home internet isn’t always reliable, we prepare printed checklists, visual guides and step-by-step timelines for digital tasks. Students can prepare them offline and complete tasks online when they’re able to connect.

4. Engaging parents in two languages

We hold bilingual evening sessions where parents can go through application systems in Uzbek and Russian. These sessions have greatly improved family involvement and understanding.

Growing our skills as counsellors

To stay ahead of this challenge, counsellors should:

• Join regional networks
• Team up with school IT staff to co-host digital literacy programmes
• Enrol in free platforms like Coursera or EducationUSA to boost digital advising skills
• Attend international webinars on inclusive, tech-forward counselling

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about technology, it’s about fairness. If a student can’t participate in the digital world, they’re left behind in ways that go far beyond the classroom.

As school counsellors, we have to be more than listeners, we need to be bridge-builders. Because no student should miss out on their future just because they couldn’t click “apply”.