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Digital divide
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An expression used by government advisor, Dr. Simon Moores in a 1996, BBC television interview on digital inclusion, the digital divide is the socio-economic difference between communities in their access to computers and the Internet. The term also refers to gaps between groups in their ability to use ICTs (Information and Communications Technologies) effectively, due to differing literacy and technical skills, and the gap in availability of quality, useful digital content. The divide is seen as a social/political problem. It became an issue among concerned parties, such as scholars, policy makers, and advocacy groups, in the late 1990s.
Broadly speaking, the difference is not necessarily determined by the size or depth to the user, but any ICTs and media that different segments of society can use. With regard to the Internet, the simple access is only one aspect, but the quality of connection and auxiliary services, processing speed and other capabilities of the computer used, and other factors could also be part of the issue (Davison and Cotten, 2003), although one doesn't need even a personal computer to connect to the Internet (see also MSN TV, Webphone, PDA, mobile phone).
The problem is often discussed in an international context, indicating certain countries such as the US are far more equipped than other developing countries to exploit the benefits from the rapidly expanding Internet. This global digital divide will be discussed in a separate article.
The idea of the digital divide resonates with "common sense" skepticism against claims of the revolutionary power of the Internet and the emerging utopian information society. Some suggest that the Internet and other ICTs are somehow transforming society, improving mutual understanding, reducing power differences, realizing a democratic society, and other effects.
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